Finding Your ‘Diamond’ in the Rough
There are many different aspects to running a business, but a crucial element to your success is how you treat your employees. Virtually all employees want to work hard to help your business succeed because it directly contributes to their continued employment. By treating them right, showing genuine interest in their well-being, and complimenting their success, you will be more likely to retain their services. Otherwise, you will lose money and time in hiring and training new staff.
How do you select the right person for the job? The interview process can weed out many potential employees who may not be suited to your business. In order to find your ‘diamond’ in the rough, you first need to determine whether your business can support another employee. Are you utilizing the skills of your current employees? Perhaps they have some hidden talents or potential that you’re not aware of. If you do decide that you need ‘fresh talent’, remember that advertising in the employment section in the local newspaper is not your only option. Word of mouth, local colleges and evening classes, and industry events are an excellent source to find qualified people.
When you’re ready to start the interview process, you should be able to review all the resumes, and pick the most qualified candidates. A standard list of questions will help you compare candidates’ skills, abilities, and personalities during the interview. If you’re hiring for a customer service position, be aware of how well the candidate listens and responds to questions. Note the candidates’ choice of words and non-verbal behaviour. Do not dominate the conversation. Many experts recommend an 80/20 rule – you talk 20 per cent of the time and the candidate talks 80 per cent of the time. Interviews are never an easy process, but the more time you take in preparing, the less likely you’re going to have to repeat the process if the candidate doesn’t work out.
There is a wealth of information available on the Internet to help small business owners succeed including the Canada Business Service Centre (www.cbsc.org), Canada’s Business and Consumer Site (www.strategis.ic.gc.ca), and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (www.cfib.ca). Check out Brian Minter’s column on page 34 entitled ‘The Right Stuff’ for more information on what it takes to be a great store manager.
As a small business owner with a handful of employees, you should encourage feedback and share the company’s long-term goals to encourage ownership and pride in their jobs. Make work exciting, fun, and challenging to your employees. If your staff is happy, you’ll have less turnover and higher productivity.
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