Tweet

The Importance of Getting The Right People on the Bus

Written by: Mark Smiciklas

Article Overview: It's not a stretch to suggest that an organization has a greater chance of achieving success when it employs the right people. Obviously, the goal of any company is to hire well, but many small businesses mis-step during the process of seeking out the right employees. What are the characteristics of the "right" people? As a small business leader, what ideas do you need to understand and embrace in order to get the right people into your organization?

The Importance of Getting The Right People on the Bus

It's not a stretch to suggest that an organization has a greater chance of achieving success when it employs the right people. Obviously, the goal of any company is to hire well, but many small businesses mis-step during the process of seeking out the right employees. What are the characteristics of the "right" people? As a small business leader, what ideas do you need to understand and embrace in order to get the right people into your organization?

Having the "the right people on the bus" is one of the business concepts discussed by Jim Collins in his book, "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap..and Others Don't." Collins researched over 1400 companies and discovered a set of ideas that, when embraced and implemented, differentiated great companies from their "good" counterparts.

The Basic Principles.

1. The first step your small business should take is to hire the right people, even before establishing a strategic direction. The idea: getting the right people working together will help your organization manage change. For example, if your small business attracts people because of your products, service offering or strategy, you might have issues if you have to change the direction of your business. On the other hand, if people join your organization because of reasons such as values, working with like minded people, etc. you will likely be able to "change the direction of the bus" without too much difficulty.

2. The right people eliminate the need for your small business to focus on the motivation and management of your team. The right people are driven, self-motivated and responsible.

3. Your small business will never maximize its potential with the right strategic direction but the wrong people. To quote Jim Collins: " Great vision without great people is irrelevant."

Characteristics of the "Right" People.

The concept of having the right people on the bus is rooted in the belief that it's critical to hire the right people first, then establish a strategic direction for your small business. An interview with the author (www.jimcollins.com) inspires the following list of things that your small business should consider when looking for the right people:

* The right people must share the same core values as you and your small business. An important thing to understand about core values is that they can't be taught - you can't force someone to change their behaviour to correspond to the values of your organization - it's critical to find people that are the right fit.

* The right people do not need to be managed - they may need coaching or mentoring to ignite the fire and tap their full potential, but they do not need to be "baby sat". Trust can be a good indicator when assessing whether or not a hiring may have been a mistake. Do you trust an employee to manage a critical situation or speak with an important client without feeling the need to look over their shoulder?

* The right people possess the ability to be the best of breed in their positions. Do your people have what it takes to be the best client service managers, salespeople, administrators, etc?

* The right people understand the difference between "having a job and holding a responsibility." Jim Collins refers to this trait as being "productively neurotic".

* Knowing what you know about people after they have worked in your small business, would you re-hire them? If the answer is no, they they are likely not right for your organization.

The right people are critical to a small company. In larger organizations, the wrong people can make it difficult to succeed - in more intimate cultures the wrong people will suck the life out of your small business. Hiring the right people and letting go of the wrong people is not an easy task...it requires discipline and courageous leadership. Is it worth the commitment? Mediocre companies are a dime a dozen..good organizations are slightly harder to find...but great companies are few and far between - they stand out in the marketplace.

Related Articles
  Home Business Expert: Importance Of Video Social Networking
  Home Business Expert: Importance Of Press Releases
  Home Business Expert: Importance Of Blogging
  Home Business Expert: Importance Of Article Writing
  Home Business Expert: Importance Of Social Networking

Article Tags: achieving success, belief that, business concepts, business leader, counterparts, great vision, jim collins, leap, motivation, small business, small businesses, stra



Related Forum Posts
Re: Kevin's Case Study #3 - Promoting something you can't try - I agree with ltrahan. People generally have to see it to believe it these days. I know I would want to.
Re: How can I use this forum to market my company? - Indeed this forum is a great place for your business promotion. People are looking into it seriously and i have been getting a lot of positive response.
Re: new at this and need to get moving - Hi Glenn, This is a good place to come for ideas. People are very open and willing to share. What is the product you sell?
Re: Five Personality Traits of Successful Business Owners - 1. Focus 2. Ability to Adapt 3. Hard Work 4. Good planning 5. People Skills
Re: Traffic! How do you get it? - Give away plenty of free valuable stuff. People will be grateful of your gift and will stick around to see what else you have to offer.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Starting a Business a Brave Move or a NoBrainer

Clues to Increase Sales -- Listen to the Buyer

Work at home Opportunities for the Disabled

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.