In the last post we looked at the first two steps in hiring the right crew. Steps three and four are: 3. Implement a Pre-Interview Screening Process: Too many business owners waste unnecessary time interviewing candidates who are not truly qualified. Avoid this problem by implementing a simple screening process. Here are two strategies I recommend before you get to actual, in-person interviews: Voice Mail Screening: Set up a special voice mailbox for screening purposes. In your job description ad, have candidates call the number and leave a message BEFORE they even submit a CV. Listen to the responses. Ask the applicants whose messages impress you most to send a CV and complete a psychometric profile. E-Screening: Instead of a phone message, ask candidates to reply via email and include some specific questions that they should answer, in addition to submitting their CVs. You'll find that a surprising percentage of applicants won't even follow this simple instruction, which is a fast way to weed them out. Depending on the number of applicants and the nature of the job, you might even add another layer of screening: a live phone interview before you get to the final step, an in-person interview. 4. Bring Them in for a Test Drive: Bring top candidates in for an on-site interview. Get a feel for their personalities. Introduce them to the rest of your staff. Create a series of interview questions and have them focus on actual past experience as opposed to theoretical future possibilities. Then make an offer to the candidate who impressed you most. If you need additional help putting together your dream team, call me at 719-426-7643 or visit https://www.timetrade.com/book/WRZ6H to schedule a 60-minute Free Forward One Coaching Session. I have dozens of other strategies to help you find and manage high-quality employees. Next post: Lessons from the River (Excerpted from my eBook 6 Keys to Rapid Business Growth. Click the title for a free copy.)
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Hiring the right people is one of the most important things you can do to support the long-term success of your enterprise. And yet so many business owners approach hiring as an afterthought. They put a half-hearted ad in the local newspaper and hope they get lucky.
The solution for this problem is to have an Employee Acquisition Plan. You simply must implement one if you want to reduce staff-related headaches and find high-quality candidates to take over your business if you decide to move on at some point. There are four simple steps to hiring the right crew. I’ll mention the first two in this post: 1. Write a Brilliant Job Description: The best way to catch a lot of fish (especially the right kind of fish!) is by using the best bait. Most job descriptions are anemic. Make yours stand out. Write your job descriptions in "what's in it for the applicant" language. Be specific about the characteristics and qualifications needed. Include the hours and earnings potential. 2. Generate Leads: You've got to be proactive when hiring. It's not just about writing a great job description; it's about getting that description in the hands of the right people. Here are six ways to find quality candidates:
Recognize how important hiring is to your organization and be completely engaged in the process of finding the right people. Next post: Hire the Right Crew – Part 2 (Excerpted from my eBook 6 Keys to Rapid Business Growth. Click the title for a free copy.) It's not enough to know what and where you're going, though that's critical; you must also know how to get where you want to go. You need to have a Tactical Plan. You can have all the vision in the world; you can have huge dreams and revolutionary ideas to make a tremendous impact on your industry but it you lack the follow-through to make it happen you’ll end up with lackluster results, half-implemented ideas and a lot of discouragement. There’s a simple way to avoid this trap: Have a strategic plan with a clear set of tactics to make that a reality. A tactic based Strategic Plan begins here (from the wonderful book, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits by Verne Harshish): The right people doing the right things right! The key to aligning all these critical components lies in one exceptional tool: the one-page strategic plan (1PSP). There are four key questions an 1PSP helps address:
1. What are our core values and purpose? 2. What are our dreams? 3. What makes us different? 4. What do we need to be focusing on NOW? It’s hard to explain how the 1PSP works until you see it with your own eyes, so I’d like to offer you a FREE 1PSP template, along with a no cost, no obligation 60-minute consultation with Forward One Business Coaching. Next post: Hire the Right Crew (Excerpted from my eBook 6 Keys to Rapid Business Growth. Click the title for a free copy.) Dwight Grant As I wrote in my last post, it’s not enough to know the Five Steps to Freedom.. You have to understand how to apply them to your business. There are five additional steps you need to take in order to make this happen: 1. Complete Your Strategic Plan: This is one of the most effective planning tools in existence. It allows you to identify your company's vision, values, key performance indicators, as well as long-term, short-term and immediate goals—and much, much more. If you want to guide your business through the five steps to freedom, you need this resource. The next chapter will address this in more depth. 2. Understand the Current Value of Your Business: In order to get to where you're going, you've got to know where you are. You need a professional assessment of the current value of your business to understand exactly what it will take to reach your objectives. I will be happy to direct you to the evaluators I recommend for their speed, professionalism and accuracy. 3. Hire a Business Coach to Help You Increase the Value of Your Business: A reputable business coach will help you make the changes you need to eliminate waste, improve your cash flow and increase the overall value of your business to prepare it for a successful sale. 4. Assemble Your Power Team: If you don't already have an accountant, financial adviser and attorney on your team, it's time to begin shopping around for them. They will prove vital expertise as you prepare your exit strategy. 5. Begin Developing Prospective Buyers: Start on the inside. Current staff members and executives are often prime prospects for buying your business. If there is no one internally, consider the services of a business transfer professional to help you find a qualified buyer. Remember: this is NOT a pipe dream. I've seen business owners completely eliminate financial worry by applying the five steps to freedom and leaving their business in the hands of competent leaders. You can do it, too. Sign up for a free, no obligation 60-minute consultation with me Forward One Business Coaching and I can help you with a comprehensive overview. Next post: Have a Tactical Plan (Excerpted from my eBook 6 Keys to Rapid Business Growth. Click the title for a free copy.) Renowned organizational consultant Stephen Covey says that all success starts in one place: Your mind. He calls it "beginning with the end in mind," having a clear vision of what you want before you begin, just like having a blueprint before you start building. When I work with business owners who are struggling I find that 90 percent of them have neglected to do this very important visioning work. That's why it’s critical to know your exit strategy. You have know where you're going if you ever hope to get there. There’s a powerful framework for understanding the phases of business growth I call the Five Steps to Freedom. It provides a blueprint for building a true business asset—a company that progresses and produces profits even without your day-to-day involvement. I detail the five steps in my free eBook 6 Keys to Rapid Business Growth. I will just mention them here: Step 1. CREATION. This is when you're starting out as an unknown in the marketplace. Step 2. DISORDER. This is when you begin the uphill battle of becoming cash flow positive. Step 3. CONTROL. This is when you convert cash flow into profit by stabilizing and organizing your operations. Step 4. PROSPERITY. This is when you solidify a position of dominance in your niche market by economizing and optimizing for efficiency. Step 5. FREEDOM. This is when you reproduce yourself and develop a strong core of leaders who will continue to grow the business. Of course, as valuable as the five steps are, it's not enough just to know them. You have to understand how to apply them to your business. There are five additional steps you need to take in order to make this happen:
Next post: Second Flight of Stairs (Excerpted from my eBook 6 Keys to Rapid Business Growth. Click the title for a free copy and learn how to receive a 60-minute consultation at no charge.) Dwight Grant Business Coach Are You Prepared To Succeed? Put a check mark if you are: ___working longer hours but never getting ahead; ___worrying your competition is outperforming you; ___spending more time dealing with frustration than celebrating success; ___looking for new ways to reach your goals; ___focusing on staff issues instead of customer service; ___needing to add new customers; If you checked three or more boxes you’re a typical business owner. I’ve been there myself and have had to navigate these rocks and rapids that can swamp businesses unprepared for the turbulent future. Dealing with them is a lot like whitewater rafting. Although inherently dangerous, it can also be exhilarating and transformational. Free Keys to Rapid Growth As a professional river outfitter I led trips at all water levels with every kind of paddler. Getting everyone safely where we intended to go was my main job. Over the years I learned how to pick my routes, use the current and get the crew to work effectively as a team. Later, I took those same skills into business, from one-man startups to running a large national distribution center. There are proven, powerful ways to increase your cash-flow and profits with less stress and strain while allowing you to realize more of the dreams you have for your business, family and life. These insights aren't rocket science; they're simple. But don’t be tempted to write them off because they're too simple. They can make all the difference between businesses that grow year after year and those that struggle to keep the lights on. You might be surprised to learn that the place to start is with the end in mind. The most important thing to know before you get into the river is how you will get out! Next post: Know Your Exit Strategy. (Excerpted from my eBook 6 Keys to Rapid Business Growth Click the title for a free copy and learn how to receive a 60-minute consultation at no charge.) I’ve been hooked on whitewater rafting since my dad took me down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon when I was a teenager. After moving to Colorado it didn’t take long for me to discover the amazing rivers in the state. I bought some gear, read a book and went off to learn how to do this for myself! On my first trip I encountered high water, cold and fog. As I came around a bend in the river I could hear the rapids and I was excited. The current swept me right down the center and over a big hole that flipped me. My gear went everywhere. I’d only been on the river 15 minutes and the trip was over! I spent the rest of the day driving up and down the river looking for the seat, paddle, boat and other gear. The following week I got some pointers from my friend who was a 10-year veteran guide. “Oh that’s what the book meant” I found myself saying. As I learned more, I began doing trips with my family on easy water. I enrolled in a guide training course and was certified in Colorado. I went on to start and operate a whitewater rafting business on the Arkansas River for many years. Speaking of business, I started my career as a warehouse clerk while earning a degree in outdoor leadership. After a couple of promotions my boss encouraged me to pursue business. I began reading everything I could about business and completed my MBA. For the next 30 years I learned how to lead and how to help other leaders as a boss, co-worker and consultant. Getting into—and surviving in—business is a lot like getting into a river and staying afloat. I’ve done both and I’ve learned the hard way that things go much more safely and smoothly if you have an experienced guide or seasoned mentor. I’ve had the privilege of being a guide on the river and a mentor in the marketplace. In the next several posts I’ll share valuable lessons gleaned from both realms that can help you and your business not only stay afloat but arrive safely at your desired goals. Next post: Are You Prepared To Succeed? (Excerpted from my eBook 6 Keys to Rapid Business Growth. Click the title for a free copy or go here to schedule a 60-minute rapid results coaching session at no charge.) Dwight Grant Coach Forward One Business Coaching www.forwardone.net “mapping your business success” In the mid 90’s I decided to get trained as a river guide so that I could take friends and family whitewater rafting. Our family enjoyed it so much we eventually started an adventure company of our own that we operated and then sold 10 years later. I’d like to share a brief account of part of that training. “Where are we”? We were two hours into a 3 day trip on the Colorado River and the signs of civilization were disappearing. I respond “Maybe we should pull out the map”, my fellow guide trainee says Naw, we don’t need that, we’re in the wilderness! A few thoughts flashed through my head as I reached into my dry bag to pull out an old weathered map. “I’m hungry” someone says “When are we going to eat” chimes in another. Our leader was a seasoned outdoors-man but only had one season as a guide and had only been on this section of river 1 time before. “Ok” says the leader “eddy out here for lunch” it was almost 2:00. After finishing lunch we got back on the river and I asked the leader where we were going to camp for the evening and he responded “we’ll see.” As we floated downstream, I pulled out the map and started following the course we were on and I saw that there were several good camp spots along the way. Unfortunately every time I brought up the idea of looking at the map I got a “F the map” response. No worries, I thought to myself, but this is going to be a really long day. As dusk approached, the leader decided we needed to set up camp, but we couldn’t find a suitable location. Things began to get tense. I suggested that he look at the map but only received another volley of expletives. Eventually we rounded a corner and there in front of us was a bridge. The leader said “No way! we’re not supposed to be here until tomorrow afternoon!” So we immediately pulled over and set up camp. After everything was cleaned up from dinner we sat around the fire talking. The conversation turned to life ambitions and I mentioned that it is really helpful to have a life plan like having a map... but that did not have the desired effect as everyone looked at me and said “you and your maps - F the map" in unison. Here are two observations as I reflect on my river experience. 1. Maps are Essential (if you want to know where you are and where you’re going) I am amazed at how many businesses do not take the time to map out their objectives. Just like my rafting buddies, they seem to think everything will just work out on it’s own. That rarely occurs. To be successful you need to spend the time and money to develop a clear and accurate strategy map for your business. I like a simple 1 page plan that provides the big picture with a detailed 90 day plan that breaks activities down by week. It’s easy to use and can be updated each quarter. 2. Maps only work when you use them. It doesn’t help to have a map if you never bother to look at it. It also doesn't help to have one person following the map when everyone else is taking off in their own direction. I have read beautiful strategic plans that reside in large binders that have become shelf ornaments and dust collectors. The strategy map should be updated at a minimum annually. Each quarterly plan should be executed on a weekly basis with adjustments getting made along the way in order to remain on course. A Reality Video Several years ago while on a family vacation in California my son took this short video that demonstrates the need for a coordinated plan. Perhaps you will be able to relate to this situation! Despite our occasional navigational differences, my wife and I have developed a planning process that puts us on the same page. We have done this for years and it is amazing to see the accomplishments over time.
In fact, I feel so strongly about people having a solid plan that I am hosting a free webinar: “Making 2016 Your Best Year Yet,” on Thursday January 28 from noon to 1:30. If you would like to register you can do that at this link. Register Now Happy Planning! Dwight Grant Business Coach - Forward One Business Coaching Website: www.forwardone.net Phone: 719-426-7643 Freedom is one of the core values of most Americans. When founding father and passionate orator Patrick Henry proclaimed the words “Give me liberty or give me death” at the Virginia Convention in 1775 he created a sentiment that is as strong now as it was 240 years ago.
Most small business owners started their own company because they had passion around an idea they thought they could make money at and the gumption to pursue it. No doubt the concept of being their own boss and setting the pace for their own destiny played into the decision but, unfortunately, day to day pressures began to change their perspective. Instead of enjoying the freedom they hoped for, it has become a grind and they have by default become slaves to their own business. When my daughter was 4 she used to try and push my wife’s patience. She would say something like “I don’t want to clean up after myself, You’re not the boss, I’m the boss!” My wife would gently respond “well actually in this house mommy is the boss. “Nooooo”, my daughter would say, “you’re not the boss, Daddy’s the boss!” My wife would respond, “Well, daddy has asked mommy to be be the boss so could you please clean up the mess you have made?” “Noooooo, Daddy’s not the boss, God’s the boss”. The conversation would continue until my daughter would finally decide to clean up rather than have a “talk with Dad” when he got home. While this humorous memory still makes me chuckle, I wonder how many business owners really know who their boss is. Do you own your business or does your business own you? Are you the boss or has your business become your boss? Here are 3 ways to reestablish your freedom as a business owner? 1. Rekindle your vision Take some time away to consider why you established the business and what you wanted to accomplish. Dream about the future. Write down at least 3 goals that you can implement in the next 3 months that will bring you closer to your objectives. Repeat this process at least twice per year. 2. Assess how you spend your time Make a list of what you do each day and how much time you spend on each activity. If you can’t think of everything, then make a log and track your time for a week. Once you have the list, go through it and put an S by the items that you believe are strategic to the business. Then, add things that you would like to be doing but don’t have time to do. Finally, go back and add a D to those items that could be delegated and write in who or how these tasks could be done differently. When I owned an operated a seasonal adventure business I made the difficult decision to be closed on Sunday’s. While this may have resulted in some short term loss of business it played a huge part in maintaining family harmony and keeping our team energized throughout the season.. 3. Develop your Team Start having fun again by focusing on the activities that you enjoy. To do this you will need to develop a team that can assist you in running the business. Take the list you just created and begin with one item and one individual and train them to do it perfectly. Then move to the next item, and so on and so forth. It may take more time to begin with but after a month or two you will be amazed at how much easier life at work will become. Nobody wants to be a slave to their business. Over the next several weeks I will be addressing topics that will help you achieve the freedom that you desire in your business. Schedule a free rapid assessment phone call here. I look forward to connecting with you soon! Dwight Grant Business Coach Forward One Business Coaching Website: forwardonemarketing.com Phone: 719-426-7643 |
AuthorDwight Grant is a seasoned businessman with over 30 years of leadership experience. He lives in CO where he enjoys whitewater rafting, mountain biking and spending time with family. Archives
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