Finding the Right People

There comes a point in the life or our business that we find oursleves needing to hire staff. Typically, that is a good thing because it signals that our business is growing. However, finding, hiring and keeping qualified employees and/or independant contractors is no walk in the park as many business owners will tell you. It requires a lot of research and planning because of how crucial your employees and or I.C.'s will be to the success of your business.



Putting together a team that has the right skills provides your business with an opportunity to grow and to meet its challenges head on. It's not an exaggeration to say that the right people in the right jobs can provide your with a distinct competitive advantage. Which brings us back to the point we just made--hiring the right people takes time and effort.



To increase your chances of hiring the right people, consider following these steps:

1. Take a good hard look at your business structure and budget before you decide to hire someone. Ask yourself some objective questions such as" do you really need additional personnel for the long term? Are you experiencing an increase in work load that will only last for a short period of time or do you expect it to continue? Can you afford to hire additional staff? This includes not just the salary aspect, but also fringe benefits and federal, state and local taxes assoicate with hiring someone.


2. Develop a clear idea of what you want that person to do and the job qualifications they should have. From this, you will be able to create a concreate job description that can guide you through the interview process.


3. Create an advertising and recruiting strategy that will allow you to find the right person for the job. This means you need to determine which advertising avenues will yield the best candidates. For example, if you are perateing on a limited budget are you more likely to find qualifiied candidates for the position of a certified personal trainer in your local newspaper classifieds or through the web?


4. Confirm that you have selected the right person for the job. Often overlooked but extremely important is the need to perform those all important reference and education checks.


5. Ensure that all parties understand the terms of employment. Draft a letter of employment that outlines any terms and conditions of employment to avoid any misunderstandings that may occur down the line.


6. Finally, orientate your new employee and provide ongoing training and support. Again, this is another often overlooked area. Do not stop with a simple walk around your facility or an introduction to other employees. Providing ongoing educational opportunities is not just an investment in your employee, but an investment in your business.

While it may sound corny, it holds true...our employees/I.C.'s are our greatest assets. Treating them with respect and providing guidance and assistance so that they can grow both professionally and personally contributes to our own business success. And, that's something we can all appreciate.