Hiring new employees can be quite a challenge for a growing business, especially for the first time. Knowing who to hire, when to hire and trusting someone else to help run your business pose significant challenges to any business owner. To help make this process a little easier, we spoke with Buffie Blesi, CEO of We Spark Growth, to get an expert’s perspective. We Spark Growth works to unburden business owners, offering outsourcing for back office duties like bookkeeping and marketing as well as consulting and business coaching.
When starting the hiring process, Blesi stresses the importance of knowing where your growth is going. “Looking to hire simply for immediate needs can be risky and lead to problems down the road. Instead, look for an employee that will propel your business forward while solving the immediate problems. Hire to support your company’s strengths.” For many business owners, bringing on a new employee can be the most expensive decision you will make, take the time to think and get it right, no one knows your business better than you. Taking the time to hire the right employee can set you up for continued success and growth, in addition to expanding your company’s skillset.
Once you’ve outlined your growth and future, the hiring process can begin. It may seem obvious, but Blesi stressed that taking the time to screen applicants is critical. Don’t hire the first person who fits the bill, even if they are family. This is an incredibly important decision for your company there is no need to rush into anything. Overall, when hiring an employee you need to realize that both of you are taking a risk on each other. Respect them and deliver the offer to hire in person. You want to be able to talk through the offer with them and answer any questions they have. You are entering into a partnership, starting on the right foot from the hiring process will ensure smooth transitions in the future.
Once you’ve hired your employee there are important steps to take from the beginning to set them and your company up for success. Blesi recommends documentation in the beginning stages of employment. Don’t show them a task and hope they understand. Walk them through the task, asking them to document the process, their documentation can confirm that they are on the same page. In the beginning, you are the only one who knows your company culture and story. Explain to them the company goals, vision and values, develop a relationship with them. You are beginning a journey and partnership, so taking the time to build trust can be the difference in a great hire and a bad one.
The hiring process isn’t easy, especially not the first time. The up side, according to Blesi, is that you don’t have to forge the path on your own. Trade associations and other organizations are great resources. Ask questions, talk to other business owners to get advice. Someone else has most likely had the same concerns and can point you in the right direction. Realistically, every company will eventually make a bad hire, taking the time to make sure it’s the right time, you know where you’re going, and that you have the right person can help to avoid that pitfall. Careful planning and building relationships and trust will ensure that you come through your growth period stronger and ready to keep growing.
We Spark Growth believes in the power of small businesses to create significant impact in their communities and the economy through partnerships and collaboration. They call this Inspired2. When owners embrace their own strengths and the strength of the business model to build a team that complements them, and partners with the team at We Spark Growth to take on the essential business tasks, growth is exponentially multiplied! Their team of experts in bookkeeping, finance, marketing, social media, administration and development help remove obstacles to growth. Buffie Blesi is the CEO and Chief Inspiration Officer at We Spark Growth and has been a business coach to more than 150 businesses for almost 10 years.