If you are a small business owner or entrepreneur, chances are you will want to grow your business at some point. That means you will probably need to hire people. We talked to Nancy Pineda, founder and president of Hire Profile, a company specializing in sourcing the best and hardest to find creative talent for both temporary and permanent placements and Mariette Edwards, an executive coach with Star Maker Coaching who helps businesses make people decisions.
Both Nancy and Mariette agreed that you should “hire slowly, fire quickly” meaning that it takes time to find not only a qualified candidate but the person who is the right fit for your small company. Outsourcing the hiring to a recruiting firm means that the small business owner doesn’t have to waste valuable time sifting through what could be hundreds of unsuitable resumes. And, if you do happen to hire someone who isn’t the right fit, don’t prolong the process any longer than needed. While it may be hard to sever ties with an employee when you’re in a small company, it’s necessary for your sanity and the growth of the company.
Mariette had some great tips on how to interview potential new hires. She said that the thing that sticks out is usually indicative of who the person really is–such as a pair of funky earrings paired with a conservative suit. She also recommended that an entrepreneur first start by hiring someone who is very similar to themselves. Later on, they can begin to diversify their staff but at first, it’s important to pretty much “clone yourself.”
Definitely listen to this podcast because both Nancy and Mariette offer some invaluable advice for those of you out there looking to expand your business. Oh, and by the way, right now is a great time to be hiring. Because of the slowdown in the economy there is some tremendous talent out there that otherwise would not be available.
Learn more about Mariette at Star Maker Coaching and to reach Nancy, go to her website at Hire Profile. Thanks to both Nancy and Mariette for a wonderfully informative show!
Have a stellar week and we’ll see you next Tuesday!