I once asked a successful franchise owner, “How do you find the right people to work for you?” His response to me, “Above ground and breathing.” Many people hire out of desperation, and it doesn’t take long to realize that breathing while a necessity of life is not necessarily a redeemable attribute. Putting together a lucrative working team is a crucial element to the profitability of your business.
1. Understand the challenges that you face.
It is not so much about the position that you are trying to fill as it is the opportunities you are missing by not having the right person in the position. Knowing the objectives for the job at hand creates an open door for the type of person desired. Detail on paper the ideal person, emphasizing personality traits, characteristics, qualifications, and experiences. Determine before you even list the job what you want in a team member and don’t settle for less. Always consider your current work environment so that the hiring is a blend rather than a divide.
2. Get out of your office and interact.
Take the time to visit your competitors. Interact with the people who work with them. View their professionalism, the manner in which they interrelate with the customers and with each other. Maintain an unbiased approach when you are out in the field to access how others work. Never be afraid to offer someone a job who you believe can work well with you and others on your team. All is fair in love and war…and business is no exception. If your competitor has what you need, find an avenue to obtain it.
3. Be aware of the diamond in the rough.
Many times the right person is at your fingertips but you can’t see them. Whether it is within your own organization or the inexperienced, fresh out of the university bloke standing on your doorstep, open your eyes to see that lump of black carbon before you. Sometimes it can be a barrel full of experience with little education. Either way, you are looking for a person, not a resume. Take the time to notice those that don’t necessarily fit the education/experience bracket. You will gain their loyalty for giving them the chance and a remarkable new member on your team.
4. State your challenges.
When interviewing potential team members, ask them how this particular problem would be solved if they had the opportunity to handle it. By doing so, you will gain insight into their values and be given perspectives that you might not have thought. Encourage them to offer solutions and strategies as to how they would grow your business. Listen carefully to their viewpoints to help determine if they are the right people for the right job according to your list.
Remember that people spend more time at work than in their homes or with their families. Finding the right people is a great deal like shopping for shoes. If they hurt in the store, you won’t be walking very long without discomfort. It's all in the fit.
Nora C. Hatchett
