I am starting a business and hiring few employees and I need advice. I usually talk to people in polite manner and when asking for things I ask it out as a favor. This method can not work in business environment, we have responsibilities and duties to fulfill.
I do not want to sound rude, bossy, and clash with my employees but I also do not want to have a slack environment where employees just do whatever and expect to get paid by the end of the month. I would like to reach an “efficient, professional, and favorable” work environment . I really would like to avoid firing like the plague.
I say “please” and “thank you”
First, you get what you put in. Put yourself in the employee’s position; how would you want to be treated?
Second, establish your expectations from the interview; reaffirm then upon hiring. This requires keen communication skills, in that, you need to tell people what you want/need them to do. And if this is an entry level position, then you should expect to teach your new employees. On average, It generally takes 30 days to teach a new employee their entire job. It takes another 30 days for familiarity; and finally, after another 30 days is what you can expect employees to be autonomous enough that you don’t need to be constantly supervising. This is of course different from person to person and based on previous experience.
Third, never underestimate people. Just because someone doesn’t have a previous job title that’s exactly the same doesn’t mean they don’t have the same skills needed from other kinds of positions in their history/education. I’ve found that in general, people are teachable; when you set firm expectations of what they’ll need to do, and can successfully get them past the 90 threshold, they are likely to be a solid employee.
For more skilled positions (like anything requiring a specialized education, such as engineering or plumbing), they likely won’t need as much hand holding during the first 90 days; but people cannot read your mind, nor should you expect them to. Give them that 90 days to get acquainted with your business operations and expectations.
People want a clear structure to operate within. What they learn first they learn best. So start the first 30 days with a strong plan. Drive every day like you have somewhere you want to go and they are hired to get you there. People will follow.
Also don’t be afraid to fire people. It’s a part of management.
Only hire experience and mature people For a startup specially its a very important point
Youll learn alot of things from them and they will deliver value.
Paying high and get results is cheaper then pay low and get nothing
Second thing. Set goals and stick to them
No off topics in office
Slowly youll learn how to handle Because every once nature is different And in a company we should only focus on for what we are here.
Lead by example. If you slouch, they would too.
Have clear guidelines and policies in place.
Be firm from day 1 with work.
Collect feedback from them on how to change for the better / improve from time to time.
Have some fun time too, but have a clear demarcation between work time and fun time.
Have some kind of rewards & recognition in place.
Set clear expectations and job descriptions.
When asking an employee to do something, be polite and respectful. Say please and thank you. show appreciation when the employee goes above and beyond.
Recognize that over your life as a small business owner, you will need to fire people. It’s inevitable.
From my experience managing teams, I believe that most of the members 1.like a meaningful role where they make an impact. 2. Want to grow professionally 3. Want to learn and Build skills 4. Make bucks
I think you should
- Retain your style of being polite
- Additionally Set expectations while hiring itself; have a well written job description; parameters for evaluating work
Check following resources on accountability and delegation
https://youtu.be/Dn6bkqsxZBE?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/PNP_emcQoVA?feature=shared
Other good resources are
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Books by Patrick Lencioni on team building
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Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself - by Mike Michalowicz
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Traction by Gino Wickman
PS: There will be members who will scrape into the system and try avoiding ownership, completing their work whom you should let go within a month.
- Set KPIs.
- Clear communication is key. Define clear goals and expectation.
- Be friends with them BUT let them know that there will be no compromise on performance.
Once you are nice to them they will understand when you will be harsh due to lack of performance.
I learnt it the hard way. In my first business, I did exactly opposite. No clear goals. No roles defined. No KPIs. So didn’t know what I was doing. Though I was generally nice to them but I operated on vibes and mood rather than principles and rules.
One trick I learned was instead of telling them to do something, say “lets do this” or “after we finish this, can we do that?”
I had an old grisly former miner tell me I was the only boss he ever had that didn’t tell him what to do. But he always knew what I wanted him to do and when.
But you will have to sound bossy at some point. And you will have to fire someone. Even if it’s just to prove you will. Sometimes, you have someone who won’t quit but wants to be fired. And your employees want you to fire that person. They will see you as a pushover if you let that person hang on.
It’s kind of about tone and confidence. Like “And then you’ll have those boxes finished by 3pm for shipping”, but without any hint that you don’t think they can’t do it, or trying to sound all stern and crabby. Just a matter-of-fact.