Finding the right people is key to every successful business so you must be honest with yourself and consider the long and medium term. Take the time to really think about staffing gaps and if there are ways to reskill existing staff or potentially take on an apprentice, for example. We all know that the skills gap is a massive issue in our industry so we should be open to taking proactive steps by pointing out the features and benefits of a career in design and installation. Frankly, I think we are one of the nation’s best kept secrets given that every home has a kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom, so make sure you spell out the potential career paths available when joining your brand and business.
One of the many advantages of being an independent business owner is the ability to be more flexible, so be realistic about what might be up for negotiation when it comes to hiring such as working patterns, skills, environment, company culture, and in some cases, job creation to open doors to more people. In my experience, it’s better to be considered as an employer of choice as it shows you care about your team and offer shared goals for your business. This said, you can’t be flexible without trust, so have confidence in your people and the fact they can work when, and wherever they want if necessary. As long as they have a strong internet connection, laptop and phone then the magic can happen.
There is much more to recruitment than putting up a sign in your showroom window, taking a classified advert with the trade press or simply waiting for CVs to magically arrive in your inbox. Thankfully you don’t have to go too far as your current staff are your greatest ambassadors for your business. Hold a think tank and see if they know anyone in your network who might be suitable for the role, and don’t overlook your social channels as platforms like LinkedIn are your best free resource to attract new recruits and exposure for your brand. With over 38 million users, it’s easy to create a business page and let LinkedIn advertise new roles to potential jobseekers to reveal a pool of untapped talent for you.
Having met many of our industry’s power players, I can tell you that the best leaders do not shy away from reality, no matter how challenging it is. Therefore, it’s best to try and look at your business from an outside perspective and regularly put yourself in the shoes of your staff, suppliers, and customers, as they are your best assets for continued growth and development. You may have been burnt in the past, but I promise that your best ally when hiring is a recruiter that specialises in your field. Saving your business time and money, enlisting a recruitment consultant, and working together to find the right candidate from their ready pool of talent will make sure you stand out across both industry and local job market to find your next hire.