By 
You’re probably here because your business is currently booming. Your profits are at an all-time high, and you’re taking on more clients than ever before. However, do you feel there isn’t enough time in the day to take on those potential clients? While it could be a scary thought, it might be time to advertise for an employee. Whether it’s your first employee or your tenth, check out some of the indicators to help you decide if now is the time to expand your business and how to find the perfect employee for your business.
You’ve Stopped Responding
Do clients get in touch via social media, emails, or phone calls? Have you found yourself ignoring them to deal with a backlog of others? These potential clients are essential in not just increasing your profits, but building essential links, resources and branching out. Taking on an employee can not only help with these problems, but it could also offer new insight and a different perspective.
You’re Turning Down Work
How many times have you turned down offers for work? Probably more times than you care to remember! This could be due to higher-priority clients needing their work to be done urgently, or you simply do not have the time to complete any future tasks. Think about what an employee could do for you. They could schedule meetings to discuss those future work opportunities, price the work up, or even do the work themselves.
You’re Starting to Hate Your Business
The workload is piling up and you can’t see a way of completing any of it. You’re not socializing with your friends or family as often (or possibly not at all) and you’re regretting ever setting your business up in the first place. Honestly, these are normal thoughts that more business owners go through than you realize. It would be a shame to simply throw all your hard work and effort away just because you’re getting more successful by the day. In this case, taking on an employee can only lead to positives in life.
The Complaints Are Rising
In any business that deals with the public or one-to-one clients, exceptional customer service is a vital skill to have. Complaints can be sickening and de-motivating. What are the complaints about? Are they to do with rushed or lazy work? Or are they due to late work or undelivered promises? Remember, complaints can be a positive outcome for your business. If these clients are regular or optimistic, then they haven’t left you for a competitor yet. Having your first employee can help you tackle these issues and work to address them while you focus on positive productivity.
You Want to Expand
Let’s say, for argument’s sake, your business is selling products online. Your ecommerce shop is growing at a fair rate, but you know that it can be better in the long run. You’re currently focusing on uploading the stock, writing and editing product descriptions or the images, and you haven’t got time to improve your advertising. It could be that you don’t know how to advertise your business online. Finding people with a specific skill like an SEO expert or a marketing assistant can help your business with ranking and exposure, while you concentrate on the part you know the best. Another employee may cost you but treat them as an investment. They are here to help you with your company and take it in new directions. They can help with what you can’t do on your own or with the number of current employees you have.
How to Find Someone
However, finding someone is easier said than done. With the whole globe recently coming out of the Covid pandemic, more and more people are starting to look for jobs again. However, many potential employees can be lacking in the specific skills and qualifications you require. Would you be willing to train someone and finance essential qualifications, or are you flexible on who applies for the role?
Who Are You Looking for?
We recommend writing down what you can’t keep up with in your business. Is it the financial aspect with tax or invoices? Is it customer service that you can’t keep track of? Does your existing small team keep telling you they need someone to help them? Or would an extra pair of hands make your life easier and more productive? These essential skills can help narrow your search down for a future employee.
Get the Role Advertised
There are plenty of employment websites available for a small fee. Writing detailed job posts can help future employees find your business. Remember to include specific skill sets you wish for them to have, required experience (if any), salary expectations and working hours. Two vital aspects to consider when writing a job advert are to not discriminate and to include any perks that your business offers. Do you offer onsite parking, work events or a generous bonus scheme? These can be overlooked, so take our advice and get them written in there!
What if My Employee Leaves?
Sometimes an employee doesn’t work out. Either you or they may feel it’s not working out for whatever reason, and they have found another job. Don’t take it personally and remain professional. We recommend you tell them, “Congratulations on your new job” and remain positive. Be thankful for the time they’ve contributed and start to look for another employee. If you don’t know how to word it professionally, we recommend you check out Greenvelope’s suggestions for some great examples. You can even make use of their customized digital cards so that they know they have left on good terms.
In short, only you know when it is the right time to hire an employee. Treat them as an investment that will one day pay off in one way or another. Whether you’re looking to take on your first or expand your current team, you need to make sure it’s the right call. Another person can give you a brand-new insight into your business and, hopefully, give you the opportunity to grow your company in directions you could have only dreamed of.
