Ja-Naé Duane

You’ve heard the saying that “people are a company’s greatest asset,” right? It’s true! Your company (no matter if you work from home or have a small business) is only as good as the people running it – on all levels. That is why is it vital to pick the right people. Even if you’re outsourcing your work.

So, who are the right people? How do you know whether or not a person will work out? This answer varies from company to company. The first step is to sit down and look at your company’s long term goals. How is your company looking to grow? What are the qualities that you would like in your ideal employee? What skills and assets are absolutely essential for each employee to embody?

Your answers will allow you to determine the qualifications you expect of your employees. For example, if expansion and growth are important, you may want employees who are flexible (because growth requires change), innovative (because growth requires creativity), and looking for advancement (because growth offers opportunities). If you want to specialize in a specific niche, you’ll need employees with specialized skills to match. If you’re trying to improve quality, hiring employees who’ve earned relevant certifications is a smart step.

After listing your goals and determining a general qualification list, write out a detailed job description for each job role along with the qualifications you seek. I also suggest creating a long, in-depth application for potential employees to fill out. By reviewing a persons’ application, as well as, their resume, you’ll be able to quickly identify the right employees for your company.

Before making any hiring decisions, it’s smart to run background checks and to call all references given. Many companies offer pre-screening background checks at an affordable rate. The cost of hiring the wrong employee can be far higher than paying a nominal fee before extending a job offer.

Finally, take a look at your current team and share your vision for the future with them. You already have good people working for you, though some may lack the skills you need in the long run. Consider asking team members to get involved in the hiring process. Some companies do this and call it a “quality” committee. When employees recognize that there’s room for growth and the tools are readily available, they may surprise you.

Remember that hiring the right people, providing a clear mission for the future, and investing in training to help individuals reach their full potential, are the keys to creating a winning team!