Hire With Intention, Not Desperation

I think we can all agree that one of the hardest parts of running a business is finding – and keeping – the right people. When you can’t rely on your team, every bit of a day’s work can be challenging. This is especially true for any business reliant on hourly employees. As a Trainer & Coach, I hear the same thing all the time from business owners and managers – “kids these days are lazy” or “unemployment is low, and all the good people are taken”. Sure, there’s some truth to all of this. However, what if I told you there is a way to find and keep good team members and close the revolving door of employees that disappoint?

Unicorns DO Exist!

Let me ask you this… when was the last time you noticed great customer service? And I don’t mean employees just going through the motions of customer service. I mean a staff that seems to genuinely enjoy their job. I noticed it recently at a local pizza restaurant. In fact, it wasn’t the first time. Every time I visit, whether to eat in or carry out, every employee is friendly, courteous, SMILING and genuinely seems to like being there. But the interesting part of it all is that they are teenagers! And even MORE interesting? I’ve never seen one of them on their phone or chatting amongst themselves and ignoring customers. These kids are engaged and ready to get the job done.

So how does this pizzeria do it? They hire with INTENTION, not desperation. It’s easy to fill a spot with just anybody. But if just “any body” (and I mean that literally) will do, then you are setting yourself up for that revolving door of employment fails.

It’s Really Not About Them

It’s time to change the myth of hiring that suggests there are no good team members. If you’ve been following this blog series for the past few weeks, then hopefully your eyes have been opened to company culture and its components. This entry is about the people and why you probably aren’t finding the right ‘fit’ for your business. It all boils down to YOUR culture. If you’ve defined it – the vision/mission and the core values – then the heavy lifting is done. You know who you are as a business, where you want to be, and the kind of people who can get you there. You have the blueprint for asking the right questions during an interview. The right answers to these questions will give you a person that is ready and willing to work and thrive in YOUR environment. Quit settling for people who don’t fit your culture. It’s miserable!

Make it About Your Core

Getting to this point, this “aha” moment of hiring and training, does not happen overnight. Hopefully the last few blog entries have inspired you to really think about your company’s culture and why it’s essential to define it.