Jack Mencini and Adam Sonnhalter of Maximum Value Partners discuss the all too common myth that small business owners have: “If you hire the right people, they should know what to do!” During their show, Dirty Secrets of Small Business, they debunk this myth saying it is heard all the time. Too bad that it isn’t true!
“We hear this all the time in the rush small business owners have to bring people on in a hurried state,” said Adam. “There is a wise saying we like to share with clients: slow to hire, quick to fire, which many owners don’t follow.”
As small business coaches, we have countless examples of owners bringing people in to grow sales and think that this person will relieve a problem the business has. They hold on to the belief that the new hire will magically have a quick fix without taking the necessary time for the training and sharing of the owner’s knowledge of how the company works.
A good experienced person knows they have to assess the situation and have a period of training so that they get to the point of knowing what to do and how this business… your business operates.
Often the owner’s personality helps shape the culture of the company. Owners are quick to bring the new guy or gal in to the lion’s den and the owner is soon complaining about John or Susan (the new hire) not doing things the way the owner is use to doing it. A big job of the owner is leading people and coaching people with a plan in mind, not hoping for a magical fix from a new hire.
If someone is hired with a sales background, it rarely works out if the owner of the small business doesn’t Plan, Direct and Control.
If you as an owner have a Plan for the business, not a fancy plan, a practical plan starting with a vision and a profit plan, you can share this with the new hire and have that individual become acclimated to the company’s culture and how things work at your work.
To learn more about how to Plan, Direct and Control plus how to build a marketing plan take a look at Jack and Adam’s 7 Keys to Success.