1....The People
Your most expensive asset by far, and the most difficult to manage, will be the people you hire to work for you. Get it wrong and there will be hell to pay, get it right and the world is your oyster!
So we've got a great accountant, awesome lawyer and brilliant bank manager. There's a fantastic plan, good, accurate forecasts and our widget business is already to go. There's just one thing.
Unfortunately you are not superhero, and it might just be that you actually need to hire an employee or two to help out.
Before you rush out and hire the first person who wanders past you in the street, there are a few things to think about.
Is the position a permanent one or just one that's needed while you are getting started. In this case, is there a family member who can help out. Normally hiring family is something I would avoid, but in this case, for the short term, go for it.
If the position is permanent then you need to do the following. Write a job description. It's important that whoever you hire has the skills needed to complement your business or the money spent on hiring, training and paying them will be wasted. Who the right person will be, will depend a lot upon your own skills. If you aren't an experienced manager, you may need someone who is a self starter. If you will be working alongside the potential employee day in, day out, a junior might suffice. Think carefully about what you need.
If you have never hired anyone before and don't really know how to start, consider using an employment agency. They will sit down with you and come up with a profile of the type of person you need. They will take care of the advertising and pre employment screening so that the only people you interview are suitable candidates.
When it comes to interviewing, make sure you have a list of pre prepared questions in advance. It would be very helpful if you had an employment application form that candidates could fill out, then your question asking will be even easier. My goodness heres a free employment application form for you to look over.
Remember it is MUCH EASIER TO HIRE SOMEONE THAT TO FIRE THEM!
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