Running a Small Business with Only a Few Employees
If you are going to run a small business, odds are that you will not have the revenue hire a very large office staff right away. Most small businesses make do with only a few superstar performers. Here is a guide to hiring the right employees for your small business. The U.S. Census reported that 78% of small businesses employ less than ten people, so clearly, quality is what matters when running your small business, not quantity.
The most important thing is to hire people that have a different strengths and weakness. It is a good idea to sit down and make a list of what you do well, and what you may not have as much experience in, and to only hire people that can help fill in the hole in those areas that you are unfamiliar with. If you know that you are a strong people person, it might be a great idea to hire someone whose major strength lies in numbers, etc. Unlike larger corporations where each person has skills that may overlap each other, in the world of small business, specialization is where it's at.
The first thing you should do is make a recruitment list. On the list have a few qualities that will be required of each person you will hire. It is important to only select the best, superstars, if you will, and get the best bang for your buck with each employee you hire. One way of finding the best people is through networking with other small business contacts. Go to happy hours to meet potential applicants. Ask for suggestions from clients, competitors and other office staff. You can have each current employee make a list of 10 people they would love to see hired, and why. The right candidate will have the same work values and ethics as you and will appreciate working in a small environment where all of their dedication will be valued. Make sure to appeal to their goals rather than just asking them to conform to your checklist.
If you do not find the perfect candidate for your small business right away, you can always hire freelancers. You can also find younger workers who might be lacking in real world experience, but who have energy and dedication. These workers are easy to train, and can be molded into the perfect employee over time.
As an entrepreneur, it is so important to value each one of your new employees strengths. Continually offer praise, encouragement and an open door policy. Although each person has their unique specialization, encourage group communication by removing cubicles and having everyone work in an open space. Here they will be free to share ideas and collaborate more fully. This will help you get the most out of your small group of workers. Take the time to find the right people, and your small business will run smoothly and successfully even with only a few employees.
