Click on the link to get some nifty tips on Surviving an Interruption Culture! Let me know what works for you!

Avagoodweekend!

It takes some effort to find the right someone with the right ‘fit’ who has values and an approach similar to yours and the others on your team. Taking the time to think through just what your expectations are of a new employee is critical to the outcomes you will achieve in employing someone with a good 'cultural fit' with your business.

A thorough planning process will ensure consistency in your business growth. You would be very familiar with what the job entails and you might think that it looks simple enough! However, approach it from the position of someone knowing nothing about what it entails.

As there is not water tight guarantee that you get the perfect person every time, here are a few handy hints to assist you with the employment process in a constructive way.

1. Clearly map out exactly what the position you want to fill entails. Be very specific about every task, regardless of how insignificant you may think it might be. This way, nothing is ‘assumed’ and the candidate can realistically assess if they are willing to do what you request.

2. From this pool of tasks, create two lists of the skills and behaviours you would like the candidate to be able to demonstrate. One list reflecting the technical or tangible skills required of them, such as the ability to use certain computer applications to certain proficiency etc. The other list would include intangible skills, such ‘motivation for the position’, ‘flexibility’ and ‘a positive attitude’.

The interview then will be based on the candidate providing examples of where they have displayed or used these skills, both, tangible and intangible.

3. Set a realistic time frame for receiving applications, conducting interviews and concluding reference checks.

Be transparent with pay, bonuses, overtime, leave, sick days and other parameters specific to the role. Then, there is no confusion down the track when a school event pops up or the plumber needs to fix a pipe!

Following this process will allow you to almost visualise the right person for the role and as such you will get a good ‘gut’ feeling when they walk in the door!

Often, it is really the person’s attitude or their intangible skills that may prove more beneficial than their technical skills in the long run. The reason being is you can always train them in processes and machinery but it is so much harder to train them with the right attitude!

And we all know... that

your ‘attitude determines your altitude'!’

Spring has sprung. Birds are tweeting, blossoms are blooming and it's a great time of year to rejuvenate, refresh or even restore the many relationships you balance in your working day.

Don't underestimate the power of an 'interaction rennovation'. That is, clear the dust, sweep out old well worn paths and get back to basics.

The business world is all encompassing with stuff and crap (technical terms for the stuff and crap) that has to be done to make a buck. Deadlines, budgets, whatever. May I add, the bigger  the business, the more disenfranchised people become.

Your people may have been forgotten somewhere along the bumpy, stuffy, crappy corporate journey!

A five day 'engagement intensive' is a great way to clear the cobwebs and make positive inroads with the people around you. And the good news is, I've done all the thinking and hard work for you.

Day 1 - Send or say 'thank you' to 20 different individuals who may have assisted you in some way. Try very hard to get to 20.

Day 2 - Arrange to meet 5 people you regularly speak with/email, but, have never met face to face. This may include a supplier, IT help desk, a colleague's PA etc...

Day 3 - Nominate 5 team members from  various groups (a random pick) and have lunch with them in a 'common area'. You might like to take the sandos! Keep it low key.

Day 4 - Discard any 'official wear' and spend an hour walking through parts of the business you may not ordinarily be visible in. Smile and say "g'day" whenever and wherever you can.

Day 5 - Book dinner out for the family/partner/live in and leave work at 5.00! Do something (rest or exercise) so you are alert for the evening. Turn off your phone/Blackberry and try not to mention the 'w' word even once.

This might all sound very simple and maybe some of you may say, 'simplistic'. You will be amazed just how powerful the power of 'simple things' to people. In our crazy, pressure filled lives, taking time out to engage authentically with the people who support us will pay great personal dividends.

Please let me know how it goes. It is too easy! And it's free!

Here is an article I wrote a few years ago that featured in Marketing Australia.

All the principles still ring true today. Customer service is the key to ongoing business relationships!