As a successful small business owner,you're accustomed to long hours; non-existent holidays and weekends spent working.
When was the last time you went to your dentist? When was the last time you had an uninterrupted night out with your partner?
Whether your goal for 2005 is to find more time for family or personal enrichment --like attending classes and conferences -- you'll want to consider bringing on some help.
The following tips can help you get started whether you want to bring on a team of 10 or an occasional backup!
Don't expect to hire a replica of you! Each person you meet and interview will be a living, breathing human, with their own habits, mannerisms and even ideas! This is fine - -as long as their ideas and habits are not philosophically opposed to yours. My first hire, Jen, was pursuing a graduate degree, had just moved to the area and is nearly 20 years younger than I am! She's detail-oriented and relies on schedules to get things done. I'm a bit more 'seat of my pants' type of operator. She's a perfect fit because she complements my way of working! Over time she's grown into managing portions of my business that I neglected - like maintaining scheduling and billing.
Know exactly what you expect from your new hire. Before you advertise for help, sit down and write a job description. List your goals for the new hire - do you want someone who can fill in on short notice when you need to take a day off, or do you want someone who can work a regular schedule? Do you want someone who can meet with clients, set their own schedules and attend meetings and events on your behalf or do you simply need someone who can pick up your overflow? By spending time working through your thoughts on hired help you are setting yourself up for a great working relationship. If you can clearly articulate the job to all applicants, they will have the opportunity to determine if this is a mutually agreeable fit. Be sure to concentrate on specific job-related descriptions, and not subjective information.
Determine what type of manager you are! It's imperative that you're honest about your workstyle. After all, if you say you want an independent thinker, but really do a lot of 'checking-in' you may end up with an unhappy helper. On the other hand, if you hire someone who needs lots of feedback, you need to be sure that you are cut-out for the 'people part' of the management process.
Set aside time. If you expect to hire someone by the 15th of next month you may be setting yourself up for failure. Just as you can't expect to find a perfect replica of you - you can't always put a deadline on your hiring process. In other words, plan to advertise, interview and train until you find the RIGHT person. (SECRET TIP: If you find the right person - Hire them right away and then find work for them! Never pass up a great hire!)
Ask your insurance carrier about your responsibility for insuring your team members. Whether you hire Independent Consultant's or Employees is a topic for another article, however, you need to make certain that your company is covered.
Determine your time-off policy. Just like you, your team members will need time off - whether to recover from the flu or just to re- charge. How will you handle these absences?
Create a disciplinary and review process. Whether you need to tackle issues of poor performance, or chronic absenteeism -- have a policy in place before you bring on your first team member. Questions to address in this process include: How many emergency absences are acceptable in a given time period? How will you deal with customer complaints and concerns? How will you reward outstanding performance? What format will you use to communicate with your team?
Find a reputable company for conducting background checks. If your company's product or service requires your employees to access clients' homes, children or possessions do not overlook the importance of conducting a background check. You can search on the web, ask your insurance provider, or talk to your local police authorities for recommendations on companies to conduct this check for you. In each instance, you will need the applicant's signature and understanding that you will have a third party conduct a background check as a condition of employment.
Create a Fact Sheet for Applicants that you can provide along with an application to interested candidates. This sheet should cover your basic job description, expectations and hiring process.
Create your training program. Whether a detailed manual or one-on-one training for a specified period of time - make sure you have a written outline. Your training program should include all aspects of the job you expect your new hire to complete. Many misunderstandings and frustrations occur simply because a new hire didn't understand the expectations of the boss.
By following these tips, you are well on your way to a happy and productive working relationship with all your new help!
Small Business Success Coach, Peggie Arvidson-Dailey, is the author of "How to be a Client Attraction Guru" and the creator of the Pet-Care Business Success System?. To learn more about this step-by-step program for making your pet-care business stand out from the crowd, and to sign up for FREE how-to articles and FREE teleclasses, visit http://www.peggiespets.com
express cleaning service Arlington Heights ..So you think you're not justified in taking time away... Read More
What kinds of things effect mobile service businesses P and... Read More
I agree that knowledge should be free, but the next... Read More
Doesn't it frustrate you when you've given good service, sometimes... Read More
You bet it's worth it. Publicity via news releases, along... Read More
Just a few years ago, when one thought of a... Read More
Why would you use an event pass?Event passes are often... Read More
How far away is the person you need to meet?We... Read More
Many government department heads are on the take. Oh they'll... Read More
Do you own a franchised business? Over 400,000 franchised businesses... Read More
Nothing can drive a business down faster than customers who... Read More
"Order Now!" "Your Business Will Fail If You Don't Have... Read More
So you want to get into the auto detailing business... Read More
What is a Virtual Assistant?? A Virtual Assistant is that... Read More
Pardon my enthusiasm, but a large part of your small... Read More
In the Truck Washing Business every single type of vehicle... Read More
As I am preparing for my attendance to the CoachVille's... Read More
Rule 15C211Under SEC Rule 15C211, a U.S. securities broker or... Read More
What is a Family Business? A family business is basically... Read More
Has this ever happened to you... 'John, you have a... Read More
Here are some useful tips on what to consider before... Read More
What types of companies do you want to align yourself... Read More
When is the Chamber ideal for your business?Joining a Chamber... Read More
The goals of businesses have undergone much evolution from the... Read More
During the 1980 presidential campaign, candidate Ronald Reagan vowed, if... Read More
tidy up service Arlington Heights ..Concrete Roof Tile Business: During the 2004 summer season, storms... Read More
In the 2003 Auto Laundry News Survey it was determined... Read More
How do marine type businesses start? Have you ever thought... Read More
Not sure how to start a small business? This guide... Read More
Everyday, customers and business owners are bombarded with billboards, logos,... Read More
As you may already know, asphalt paved parking lots do... Read More
Where do you look for the appropriate alliance?One of the... Read More
Some things in business are relatively easy to measure ?... Read More
Remember those drawings from science class of how a lever... Read More
What was your aim when you went into business for... Read More
How far away is the person you need to meet?We... Read More
Aside from the fear of losing a spreadsheet or research... Read More
Opening a carpet cleaning business is a great way to... Read More
All franchises must meet the legal definition of a franchise... Read More
Imagine that you have operated a successful franchise business for... Read More
Small businesses need Public Relations, possibly more than large corporations,... Read More
If you are a franchisee of a large franchise system;... Read More
It is essential that you fully understand how the fuel... Read More
Take advantage of world politics today and start your own... Read More
TRUTH IN THE LAWN MOWING INDUSTRYWe do not wish to... Read More
That's right ? are you making enough mistakes in your... Read More
Until the day I learned to play chess I loved... Read More
Rule 15C211Under SEC Rule 15C211, a U.S. securities broker or... Read More
Starting and growing a small business can be a daunting... Read More
A Private Investigator is a professional trained in the art... Read More
Small Business |