In this Issue:  25 Ways to Make 2007 Your Most Profitable Year Ever

(By Grant D. Robinson, President of People Values & Creator of the Market Leadership System)

 

 

If you want your business to grow in 2007, you’re going to need GREAT People in Every Position of Your Company…

 

            Now, if you don’t agree with the previous statement that your people are your number one asset, there is really no need for you to read this month’s article. 

 

            If you still believe new technology, another revision to your marketing, modified compensation structure or reorganization will be the key to your success in 2007, you are wrong.  Here’s why: after all of the time, effort and expense on these systems, you’ll still have the same wrong people on your payroll holding your company back. 

 

            The reason your “Workplace Survivors” and “Mis-Hires” fail to produce is not because of a lack of systems in place to promote their productivity.  They don’t produce because they are (now & always will be) the wrong person for the job. 

 

            Understanding that the wrong people on your team could be the only difference between where you are now & WHERE YOU WANT TO BE, is the prerequisite for receiving benefit from this article.  If you believe what I’ve written so far is accurate, you’ve already taken the first step to improved productivity and profitability in 2007.

 

Create a Successful People System

 

            The following 25 strategies will help you create a successful People System.  Only once you create the most successful People System in your market will you be able to Recruit, Hire, Train, Develop & Retain more TOP Performers than you competitors. 

 

            TOP Performers in every position is not only a goal, but a requirement if you want to grow your business, improve your productivity and leave competitors in your dust. 

 

KEY 1 to YOUR Successful People System – Recruit TOP Performers

 

1.  Know Why You’re Recruiting

            The only reason to hire someone is to make you money.  If the individual you hire accomplishes all of the goals in the position but you still can’t justify their salary, don’t hire anyone. 

2.  Actively Recruit

            Don’t wait for candidates to find you; because they won’t.  Classified ads, general web boards and employment agencies are passive recruiting strategies and will attract passive candidates.  (For a Recruiting Guide: Click Here! - http://www.peoplevalues.com/recrutingstrategies.htm)

3.  Track Results

            Know where your best candidates are coming from.  If one strategy is providing great employees, spend more time and effort there.  If another strategy continues to attracts workplace survivors, quit using it today.

4.  Year Round Recruiting

            Create a system for year round recruiting.  You never know when you’ll need to hire.  If you recruit all year, you’ll have the five qualified candidates you need when it’s time to narrow it down to one. 

5.  Employee Referrals

            Many of our clients tell us their best employees come from employee referrals.  Set up a referral system from employees, vendors, clients, etc.  But be sure not to hire the referrals from your mis-hires until you have done your homework on them. 

 

KEY 2 to YOUR Successful People System – Hire TOP Performers

 

6.  Distrust the Resume

            Studies have shown 95% of resumes contain “exaggerations.”  The best thing about a resume is you can see if the candidate can hold a job longer than six months. 

7.  Distrust the Interview

            “Exaggerations” don’t stop on the resume.  The candidate’s goal in an interview is to “sell” you into hiring them; and many times they will say and do what it takes to make the sale.

8.  Distrust Their References

            Has a candidate ever given you a bad reference?  The truth is, 80% of success is all about “Job Fit.”  Previous experience and accomplishments probably don’t have anything to do with future success in the position you are hiring them for because of different culture, team and behavioral standards.

9.  Distrust Your Gut

            74% of employees “disappoint” in the first year.  Most of these employees were hired using the traditional hiring methods of an exaggerated resume and interview… and your instincts. 

10.  Use Pre-Employment Culture, Team & Psychological Job Matching Assessments

            The technology has been available (since the early 90’s) for you to improve your odds of hiring a TOP Performer to at least 75%.  However, only the most successful organizations are using it.  (For an example of a Job Match Report that you can have on every finalist, Follow This Link! - http://www.peoplevalues.com/requestpxt.htm)

 

KEY 3 to YOUR Successful People System – Train TOP Performers

 

11.  Learn Training Style s

            Every individual learns differently.  Assessments can teach you how to cut training time in half. 

12.  Individually Train

            The same information you get from Job Matching Assessments can help you concentrate on areas you already know the new hire will require additional attention in.

13.  Start With the Goals…

            The first part of your training needs to concentrate on the goals of the position.  Lay out exactly what is required of them and why.

14.  …Then to Responsibilities

            Then move to the responsibilities of the position; or how they’ll accomplish these goals.  Teach them every specific duty of the position making sure they can perform each one. 

15.  Assure They Have the Skills & Credentials

            If the candidate doesn’t have the skills or credentials needed to continually succeed, help them get them.  (For information on how to give your employees Training and Credentials for Construction, Use This Link! – http://www.peoplevalues.com/OSHACredentials.htm)

 

KEY 4 to YOUR Successful People System – Develop TOP Performers

 

16.  Actually Coach for Improvement

            The reason most employees never develop is because their managers and companies don’t have a development process.  (To create one Today, Learn More Here! - http://www.peoplevalues.com/DevelopingBook.htm)

17.  Individually Coach

            Continue to use the Job Match Assessment Reports to individually coach your employees to improve their performance. 

18.  Follow-Up

            The number one reason employee reviews don’t work is because there is no follow-up after the initial review. 

19.  Retrain if Needed

            If the only reason an employee is struggling is because they don’t have the skills required, do what you have to do to get them the skills (see the Training & Credential information link above).

20.  Reset Goals

            Use the SMART System of creating goals (set: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic & Timebound goals)

 

KEY 5 to YOUR Successful People System – Retaining TOP Performers

 

21.  Don’t Retain the Wrong People

            If an employee is costing you money, don’t worry about your retention rate.  The productivity, morale, apathy, customer service and teamwork issues they are creating are robbing your revenues. 

22.  Business is Fun

            You can create an environment of standards and expectations; while still having fun.  Remember job satisfaction leads to motivation and motivation leads to productivity. 

23.  Lead by Example

            80% of employees quit their manager, not their job.  When is the last time you helped a manager improve their communication style, task management skills, delegation skills, etc.  (To learn how to Develop Your Leaders, Here’s a Report! - http://www.peoplevalues.com/request360.htm)

24.  Pay People What They are Worth

            Consider creating an incentive based compensation plan.  This way your TOP Performers, that provide the majority of your revenues, will be paid what they are worth; and will stay with you longer.  This might also provide an incentive for your workplace survivors to improve their productivity. 

 

25.  Learn the Strategies of 35,000+ Successful Business Leaders

            Do yourself a favor and watch the “How to Attract & Hire Only TOP Performing Employees” 5-Minute Video before your competitors do.  You’ll learn exactly how virtually every market leader and most of the Fortune 500 have grown their businesses.  Watch the Video Now! - (http://www.peoplevalues.com/pvvideo.htm)