Each year there is big hype surrounding "Draft Day" in professional sports. And long before a team chooses a player, there is extensive evaluation that has been conducted. Interviews are conducted with former coaches, teachers, teammates, neighbors, friends, relatives - you name it. Workouts are conducted that will assist the team in their decision making process.
Ultimately, at the end of this process, there are 3 questions that must be answered in order for the team owners to be comfortable with their selection.
1. Do they have the ability?
2. Will they do the job?
3. Are they a good fit?
Most CEO's, Small business owners and managers reading this article already KNOW THIS.
However, the RAMPANT PROBLEM IN SMALL COMPANIES is that they make hiring decisions without embracing these 3 critical questions. (Yes, I have made the same mistake of hiring based on a "feeling" instead of using a sound process that reveals accurate answers to these 3 key questions)
Realize Small Business people that:
- Everyday is "Draft Day" for us. (meaning we always need to be evaluating new talent)
- Your next hire can be vital to your team for many years to come so take the time to "Interview" those that have lived and worked with your prospective team member.
- You may want to consider a "Workout" for them. (Can they shadow a high performing team member prior to you making a final hiring decision?)
So for your business:
Do they have the ability? Having the ability to play at the next level by meeting or exceeding your expectations is important to consider. Carefully evaluate the candidate's abilities and compare those abilities to your business requirements for the job. If they do not match, look for someone that has the right abilities.
Will they do the job? Ability is one thing, but having the will or desire to perform the job is another. Ask hard questions about your candidate's willingness to perform at the level you need. There is will, and there is skill - for small business development you will need both.
Can they fit? A great superstar who is ready and willing to take on the work can still be a bad choice if they cannot fit into your current business environment. Examine personality and behavior traits to see if there are some glaring issues that could cause conflicts or problems down the road. You do not just need an outstanding player - you also need a coachable team member.
Don't get discouraged. You can climb this hill!
If you need a helping hand as you climb, let's set up a 15 minute "Virtual" cup of coffee. It will be then that you can use these 3 Key Questions to decide if you should "Draft" me to work with your team as you strive to reach Marvelous Performance.
