When it comes to running a business, your largest cost, most valuable asset and, sometimes, your biggest frustration are one and the same: People.
“Your company is a collection of people’s efforts that drive a result,” says SKU mentor and speaker Damon Neth, a certified EOS (Entrepreneural Operating System) implementer.
Neth led a class for Austin and Atlanta mentors on how to organize for success using EOS – a set of a holistic business process to align and synchronize all the pieces of a business to increase productivity and efficiency and increase success.
Neth provided some tools for making sure you have the right people in the right positions. First, the person must understand that role and function as you have defined it. The person should want to be in that position and love this kind of work – not just for the pay or the company benefits. Finally, the person should have the capacity to do the job, with the skills and time to do it properly.
Stay as lead as possible for as long as possible
When it comes to when, why and how to hire the right people, Eva Scofield provided some invaluable insights.
Stay as lean as possible for as long as possible, she recommends. In addition to saving you money, it provides an opportunity for a founder to get to know all areas of the business – from marketing to finance to logistics. It will also give you an understanding of what you are good at, what you enjoy doing the most and what type skill sets you don’t have.
“What is it you want to do on a daily basis?” Scofied said. “Have an honest conversation with yourself about what you can delegate and what you should delegate.”
For example, a founder may be very good at marketing but have no operations background. For another, the opposite might be true.
The best option may be outsourcing
In some cases, the best option may be to outsource to a temporary contractor, whether it’s a digital marketing agency or a fractional COO. She also recommends creating a community which can showcase your team culture and highlighting initiatives you support.
COVID has definitely have had an impact on the talent pool – especially Ecommerce and digital marketing roles.
“Brands without online platform scrambled to create one and brands that did are looking for help with digital marketing to get the word out,” says Scofield.
Scofield recommends creating a community to showcase team culture, and highlighting initiatives you support helps attract
future talent and cultivate brand awareness. Different social channels can serve different purposes. For example, LinkedIN works well with position your company as an innovator and thought leaders. Instagram can showcase your company’s personality and corporate culture. And Zoom events can provide a way to get in front of people who might be potential employees.
“This can help attract future talent and cultivate brand awareness,” says Scofield. “Today’s talent expects an engaged employer.”