Best Practices In Business Team Expansion
When clients are ready to build on or expand their teams, I am frequently asked: “Ivy, What do you think about hiring … Are we ready to hire? “ “Should we be hiring now?”
I thought I’d share some hiring decisions and onboarding best practices I believe in, as well as some thoughts from my team on the subject.
Hire before you think you are ready. Hire while you're in growth mode.
Simply put, be ahead of the curve not behind the eight ball. Jack Welch, the legendary G.E. CEO, left behind this quote as his legacy:
“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others. Change before you have to. Face reality as it is, not as it was or as you wish it to be.”
-Jack Welch, Former CEO of General Electric
Hire people smarter than you.
I always do this for myself and the benefit of my team. I know what I know, and you know what you know. Hire the smart people who know everything else. When you surround yourself with smart people who know how to get things done, and who are motivated and self-starters, you are building a winning team.
I am a big fan of good listeners:
They make great leaders.
they ask good questions with the desire to gain insight and take action,
They tend to speak less and pay more attention to others.
They have a knack for understanding things quickly and easily.
They’re able to work independently.
Good listeners tend to be smart people:
They are willing to share their thoughts and ideas.
They often go beyond their job descriptions and take ownership of their work.
They are committed to delivering what is necessary for the company's growth.
Hire people you Know / Like / Trust:
If you follow the sales maxim of doing business with people you know, like, and trust, your team will operate with the same philosophy. Build trust with team members who have the same values.
Figure on three -> six months for onboarding.
Once you’ve recruited the right new hires, it’s time to focus on how to scale your business with your expanded team. A new trend among progressive companies is to start leadership development programs upon hiring instead of waiting to place their team on the leadership track when they see potential. They are developing their leaders from the onset, which is having a positive impact on their businesses.
A key member of the Slater Success team is Starr Oldorff, who is responsible for managing our operations. Starr also owns a business called Done4U™, which provides clients with top-notch services using a virtual assistant team. Starr has compiled an informative list of “Top 9 Tips for Seamless Onboarding While Scaling Your Business,” which can help improve your efficiency.
One/ Utilize Onboarding Software
The right tools significantly automate the scaling process: less labor-intensive, less time spent on administration, and they allow for focus on training and building relationships.
Two/ Assign Onboarding Mentors
Ensures that experienced team members are involved, offering their insights and support.
Three/ Collect Feedback
Actively seek feedback from new hires and gain insights into the efficacy of your strategy and methods.
Four/ Delegate Administrative Tasks
Ensures a swifter onboarding journey and frees up new hires to dive deep into their core responsibilities.
Five/ Design an Onboarding Map, but Prepare for Detours
Lays foundation for new team member’s seamless integration. Adapt when unexpected detours get in the way.
Six/ Diversity of New Team Member Hires
Injects business with fresh perspectives. Embrace differences in cultural backgrounds and professional and personal experiences.
Seven/ Utilize Insights and Strengths Across Your Team
Leverages unique insights and strengths of existing team members to smooth the path for new hires.
Eight/ Align Skills With Positions That Maximize Impact
Boosts team productivity and deepens new member’s sense of purpose.
Nine/ Embrace Transformation and Encourage Growth
Prepares team for (inevitable) shifts in the industry and embeds a sense of resilience and innovation.
I would give one more tip to Starr’s “Top 9 Tips for Seamless Onboarding While Scaling Your Business” …
Video record all training as early as possible in the onboarding process.
There are many different learning styles. During training, it’s optimal to provide the new hire with choices - access a video or listen to a recording( as well as read a manual.) Once recorded, the content can be transcribed into a training manual. You are setting your new team up for success.
In Sum …
A well-planned team expansion and smooth onboarding process can create a welcoming environment for a committed and productive workforce. Take the first steps towards success by hiring smartly and onboarding thoughtfully and efficiently.
___________________________________________________________________________
Ready to Transform Your Business Strategy?
Connect with Slater Success today to explore team expansion and onboarding. Together, we'll harvest the power of creative ideas and inspiration for your business's success.
No matter what industry you are in, our expertise can guide you towards expanding your business by year-end and for every year to come. Let's collaborate to cultivate innovation, foster customer connections, and set your business to continuous success.