One positive in today’s economic times for small businesses is the amount of talent now on the street due to cutbacks at major companies. Where it’s bad for those being laid off, it’s good for entrepreneurial companies in need of upgrading their talent.

But bringing new talent into your world is not as easy as it sounds. Plugging in another ‘moving part’ into your organization takes forethought and planning as their first 90-days on the job are crucial to a successful transition. Here are a few tips on how to get through that make or break period:

  • As always, begin with the end in mind – what does a successful transition look like at the end of 90-days? What duties have they assumed? How proficient should they be? What creativity are you looking for?
  • Break those answers down into projects or Key Result Areas that you both discuss and focus on going forward.
  • Hold get-to-know you / overview meetings with the employees he or she will be interfacing with in order to cement reporting structures and squash any erroneous assumptions. Leave as little to their imagination as possible.
  • Meet with the new employee DAILY! Start each morning with a brief 10-15 minute conversation on how things went the day before and what their priorities are that day. This is the most important step in the process as it gives you real-time feedback on their progress and they more quickly understand your thinking/how you want things done and vice versa. It also helps them to stay focused where you want them to focus.
  • Meet with the team members he or she interfaces with WEEKLY for feedback on their progress. Remember, behavior is easier to change when caught early.

These tips won’t guarantee their success, but it will help you to know, with certainty, whether or not you’ve truly upgraded.

Dwain – The Biker Guy

As always – These are my thoughts and I look forward to yours.  So, if you disagree or simply want to pile on, please do so here on the BLOG or email me directly at Navigator@BikersGuidetoBusiness.Com  I look forward to hearing from you.