A few months into launching your new tech business, things are really starting to ramp up. You’ve noticed a spike in sales, customers are returning for repeat purchases, and all of a sudden you feel up to your neck in work. If you feel that your operations are picking up faster than you can keep up, it may be time bring on some new hires.
Bringing on new employees can be a tricky process, especially if it’s your first time. An array of factors need to be considered, such as how to hire the right person for the job, being able to effectively train new team members and how to protect your company and employees in the case of work-related incidents. Although hiring new people and watching your team grow is exciting, it also presents the challenge of creating an efficient and integrated workplace. Here are a few tips to make each stage of the process a smooth transition:
Interviewing
The first step in growing a team is hiring the right people. It is vital that the person who is brought on board is not only a good fit in the workplace dynamic, but has maintained a positive track record throughout their career. All too often employers are quick to decide based on instincts, and forget to verify the person’s background and history. Using instincts is undoubtedly important, but failure to conduct background checks and verification can lead to hiring the wrong individual.
When interviewing a new hire, employers should go into the meeting knowing exactly what they expect from the candidate. Having a pre-designated set of questions to ask can help in determining whether the interviewee will meet and exceed workplace expectations.
Training
The next step after the hiring process is putting the new team member through training programs. Some employers have difficulty in this stage due to a lack of cohesive strategy and planning. Setting up a training structure that is hands-on and interactive is necessary for the new employee to have a smooth and efficient transition into the new job.
Allowing new hires to learn at their own pace has proven to dramatically improve the rate at which they pick up on the tasks and responsibilities at hand. One Harvard study found that employers who put an emphasis on task reflection and self-improvement tend to have more positive outcomes in the integration of new team members. Providing an open environment where employees are encouraged to ask questions and communicate will ultimately bring about greater efficiency and productivity.
Delegating
Another area that employers sometimes have difficulty in mastering is that of delegation. Depending on the task at hand, delegating the right tasks to the right people can seem difficult without an understanding of employee strengths and weaknesses.
Effective delegation of tasks leads to a more productive workplace environment, given that each employee clearly understands their responsibilities. In order to avoid any confusion, employers should clearly outline the responsibilities and expectations of each task, the goals that should be achieved, deadlines to be considered, and authority level in making decisions. Having clear guidelines for each delegated task lets employees know their boundaries and limitations, and increases their sense of responsibility towards the business.
Protection
As your workforce expands, so does the potential liabilities that could occur as a result. It is often said that employees are a business’s most valuable asset, and ensuring their protection and safekeeping is crucial for healthy operations.
There are various steps an employer can take in protecting the interests of employees. First and foremost is that of having sufficient workers compensation insurance to cover workers in the case of bodily harm. This not only keeps them happy in the workplace, but grant’s peace of mind under this protection. Second, business owners should develop a company culture and policy that outlines professional behavior in interacting with colleagues in the workplace, thus diffusing negative sentiments that may arise.
A successful business requires having a hardworking, motivated and healthy staff. When you follow the above tips, you’ll have just that.
