You can’t typically grow your business without growing the number of people with whom you work. Your success will depend on your ability to put together a team of highly qualified people who are committed to the goals and objectives of your firm.

If your business is in an early stage of growth, you will most likely be the person doing the recruiting and hiring. As your business grows, it will be important to hire the right top managers, as these managers will recruit and hire the staff. Plan a method for recruiting and hiring the very best people you can find. Such a plan requires four strengths:

• An understanding of how hiring will support your business strategy
• A philosophy of whom to hire and recruit
• An employment package that can entice superior employees
• A step-by-step hiring process that follows your state’s and federal hiring laws

Organizations with a solid business strategy are more likely to succeed, but they have to align their business operations to their strategy. Nothing is more important in this regard than your hiring and recruitment efforts. When you begin thinking about hiring, ask yourself why you’re considering it and make sure that your rationale is aligned with your strategic objectives.

Your business will benefit if you know what you’re trying to accomplish in hiring. For many entrepreneurial businesses, hiring capable, self-motivated employees provides a competitive advantage. Prospective hires should have not only great technical skills but also the motivation to make the business a success.

Look for employees who:

• Embody the company’s values.
• Work hard and work smart.
• Have the specific skills required.
• Learn quickly when new skills are needed.
• Are able to work with little supervision.
• Take initiative to make things happen.
• Are comfortable in the uncertainty of an entrepreneurial situation.
• Are flexible to business needs and changing requirements.