Successful entrepreneurs may get the recognition for creating a successful company, but rarely do people talk about the talent that surrounds that entrepreneur — the very people that entrepreneur recruited and brought aboard. Talent acquisition is one of the most important tasks for an entrepreneur. In the company’s early days, having talented, smart people that mesh with the company’s culture is vital to growing a successful business.
So how can your business take that next big step? Here are a few tips for acquiring the right talent for your company:
- Talent and smarts are not everything: Obviously, you aren’t going to push a skilled and intuitive individual out the door. However, sometimes the right personality can mean more than talent and intellect. Having an employee that makes the people around them feel comfortable and motivated is very important.
- Give prospective employees a trial: This is always a good idea for employers. Bringing a new employee in on a short-term trial basis (for a month, let’s say) allows you to sample his or her work before committing. You can find out if they can handle the job and if they fit in with the rest of your workforce.
- Establish programs that reward your employees: Once you have the right employee and you know he or she can push your company to new heights, it’s time to reward their hard work. Energize your employees by giving them equity in the company, and provide competitive bonuses that reflect an individual’s performance.
One way to ensure these elements are successfully implemented at your new company is by consulting an attorney with experience handling start-ups and helping businesses establish themselves (and, ultimately, grow). Such an attorney could help you establish creative interview processes to target the best talent; draw up contracts and legal protocols to allow your business to test out potential new employees; and launch incentive and reward programs to help you keep your talent.
Source: Wall Street Journal, “They’re Taking Care of Your Baby,” Kathryn Minshew, Dec. 14, 2013
Talent acquisition is an art, and every artist needs a little training from a professional. To learn more, please visit our Los Angeles business formation page.
