We all know that, if you are the only person in your business, you are restricting your ability to do anything. OK, so you are dependable and reliable and have the passion to do a good job. But there is no one else to help. And your ability to earn money and your businesses ability to be more than just a job for you is probably restricted by the fact that there is only one of you.
After all, there are only so many hours in the day and for most people there comes a time when it’s time to step up and build a team. Plus you may be a ‘jack-of-all-trades’ but actually, there will always be stuff you don’t do well and should get someone else with relevant skills to do. In fact, most one-person businesses are just jobs with extra hassle – not businesses that are going to give you and your family a good lifestyle.
Here are five top tips to help you on your journey:
1 – It takes longer to hire good people than you think.
So don’t leave it to the last minute. Think 3 months and possibly longer. OK, so this does depend upon notice periods. If you are recruiting a C-level executive then they might have a 3 or even 6-month notice period, whereas warehouse staff may only have a couple of weeks’ notice to give. But also it can take a while to get the word out there and get responses to job adverts.
2 – Don’t just hire friends or family.
OK, so you already know them and it is convenient. But as a boss you need to be able to pull rank and get things done. A good boss isn’t nasty or vindictive towards their people, but you do need to be able to tell people when they have messed up – and not spend every family dinner thereafter apologising! Hire people because they are better than you and the right person for the role, not just because they are convenient.
3 – Employees are expensive.
Which brings out two different points. Firstly, make sure that you are charging enough so that you can pay for them and make some profit on top. Secondly, you don’t have to find a whole year’s salary on day one: you just need the first month’s salary in the bank. So don’t be scared of hiring.
4 – Personality profiling actually works.
Lots of hiring and firing decisions are made for illogical and emotional reasons, and not because the candidate has the right fit. It is always important to get someone who has the right attitude and using a personality profile can make a difference. Profile the job role, then profile the candidates…and then interview your shortlist.
5 – Training is important.
Once you have hired someone, no matter how good their prior experience is. You are going to have to train them on how to do it your way. The amount of training will probably depend more on their attitude and behaviours than on their skills and prior experience. We all know businesses that don’t train employees properly…and then complain and sack them for doing the job wrong.
If you are looking for help to take on more employees for your business, then get in touch.
