You need to define your business goals before hiring employees to help you achieve those goals. In other words, you need to hire the right people in the right positions.BDC published an excellent paper on this topic in which they listed four key considerations:
- Define your core values: If you’ve defined the core values of your business it’s easier to identify prospective employees who will subscribe to those values. If you list, say, five values that you expect every employee to share, you’ll have ‘everyone on the same page.’
- Identify your business goals: What you are trying to achieve (mores sales, greater profitability etc.) will determine what type of employees you’ll hire.
- List the core competencies you want: These will differ depending upon the area you’re hiring for (manufacturing, sales etc.). But listing them will help in the process of hiring.
- Write your employee value proposition: A value proposition defines why someone would want to work for you. Include all the reasons why.
Of course this is not the last word on sound hiring practices, but it’s nevertheless good advice.