Stage 1 Companies (1-10 employees)
Whether you are looking to hire your ‘first’ employee or your tenth employee, as a Stage 1 company (1-10 employees), it is all about ‘fit” – how well the individual can work with you and the rest of your team.
When you are starting to grow your company, you need people around you who share your ideas, who like who you are and what you are about. A Stage 1 company is CEO-centric. This simply means that the fuel to run a company at this stage of growth is dependent upon the passion and vision of the CEO. Make sure you are hiring people who are looking for an opportunity to help a vision grow – not just a business.
One of the five non-negotiable rules for a Stage 1 company, is to hire, first, for ‘how the person fits in with the team’ and second, for how competent they are.
Here are three tips on how to hire for fit:
1. Make sure you are very clear about your values. Spend time with your existing team outlining the roles and responsibilities of new positions so everyone has buy in as to what that person will bring to the table. Talk about the ‘way’ you work, not just about the work. Make sure the person understands the dynamics of the team and that they share the passion for what the business is all about.
2. Create a written profile of the criteria of a ‘good company fit’ regarding hiring new employees. Don’t leave this knowledge in your head. Share it with your existing employees and get their feedback on how they see your company’s ‘fit profile.
3. Set in place a standard interview process. Become very good at asking the hard questions during interviews to find out the ‘real’ story behind what the person is saying.
This article, derived from content created by FlashPoint!, is based on the 7 Stages of Growth concepts developed by the Origin Institute and James Fischer. It was contributed by Jacqueline Sousa, a certified Growth Curve Specialist and regional director of the Florida SBDC at FIU.
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STAGE 1 – NON-NEGOTIABLE RULE: EMBRACE CHAOS
STAGE 1- NON-NEGOTIABLE RULE: FOCUS ON YOUR MONEY MAKERS
STAGE 1 – NON-NEGOTIABLE RULE: TRACK AND PRESERVE CASH