Hiring Tips

Sep 13

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Having quality employees is essential for business prosperity. Here are 10 things to consider to improve the quality of your employees:

  1. Proper hiring creates a good team. A good team lowers turnover. Lower turnover equates to more profit. Consider both the cost of lost productivity and reduced team morale.
  2. Team members typically leave or are let go most often because they never should have been hired in the first place. This is really a character issue.
  3. Take your time when filling positions. It is better to find “the right” hire rather than “the best” hire.
  4. When you are posting a position, give enough information for candidates to rule you out without wasting your time.
  5. Word your posting in such a way as to attract the personality and character traits you want.
  6. Look for a team member with a combination of opportunistic motivation and philosophical motivation.
  7. Never sell a “Job”. Always have an “Opportunity” available – work that matters.
  8. Set short initial interviews that are no longer than 30 minutes. Listen for 20 minutes and talk for only 10. God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth – keep the listening to speaking ratio the same. Determine if the candidate is only looking for a paycheck. At this point, you’re weeding out those that are not a fit for your culture. Future interviews should be longer and more involved.
  9. If the candidate is preoccupied by benefits and compensation, you will never be able to do enough to keep them happy.
  10. The person hired properly will perform better, will not cause problems, and will be more likely to stay.

If you would like to learn about 12 Steps to a Proper Hire – that will lead you consistently to “the right hire”, or how a part-time, virtual CFO can help transform your business using the Bible as our guide, email me at commonsensecfo@yahoo.com or call Kirk at 402-658-7340.

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Hiring Decisions

Sep 09

commonsensecfoCFO, EntreLeadership, Part-time, Virtual , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

No Obligation

Image by Thomas Hawk via Flickr

Do you have an established “system” for hiring your employees? Have you carefully determined the criteria you require?

Hiring quality employees is essential for business prosperity. Studies have shown it is considerably cheaper to hire the right people than it is to replace the wrong ones. In a previous post, I shared that those times when I have hired based on perceived skills, background and education, I have almost always fired on the basis of character – or the lack of it. So how do you hire the right employees?

Larry Burkett, in Business by the Book, suggests the following:

  • Define the Job Clearly. In order to hire the right people, it is necessary that jobs be well defined.
  • Hire the Best Person for the Job. Most small businesses seldom hire the best person. Instead, they hire someone who is available. (1)
  • Match the Person to the Job. Utilize a personality test to help hire properly. A small investment of time and money will provide a huge return on your investment. Use it with all potential employees in your organization. The best employees are those whose jobs match their basic personalities. Here’s a couple options:
  • Make Hiring Policy Decisions. Make some basic policy decisions ahead of time. In the hiring process, the only criteria that should be used are whether the person can do the job and follow the rules established for all employees.
  • Establish a Trial Period. I suggest a 90-day trial period for new employees, during which the employee can be evaluated for job performance and compatibility.
  • Pray. Spend time in prayer with your key staff and ask God to bring the right people and then give you the assurance that the people match the available jobs.

Ultimately, a well-thought-out hiring process will save you many headaches and heartaches and will enable you to have the teammates you need to achieve your vision. If you would like to learn more about 12 Steps to a Proper Hire or how a part-time, virtual CFO can help transform your business using the Bible as our guide, email me at commonsensecfo@yahoo.com or call Kirk at 402-658-7340.

(1) Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people. Proverbs 22:29 (NLT)

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