How Small Businesses Capture Talent
Some time ago, a friend of mine chartered a boat to go shark fishing with a few of his work buddies. In anticipation of the trip, all he could talk about was battling the raging seas and chasing, fighting, and catching his elusive and dangerous prey. I dealt with his jabbering insanity just fine: I too have watched Jaws way too many times.
As the story goes, the charter left the dock and motored towards a perfect pink sunrise on turquoise water that was as smooth as glass: so much for battling the mighty ocean. However, my friend consoled himself with thoughts of the big, bloody battle ahead.
Once the boat reached ‘the hot spot,’ the mate started throwing chum over the side of the boat, and an oily trail began to ooze towards the horizon.
|
Ray Brun
Author,
Business Coach, Entrepreneur,
TAB Owner/Facilitator
|
Within half an hour, the first fin appeared; and then another, and yet another. Soon, the boat was surrounded by sharks, and the mate was actually beating them off the chum pot with a broom; like some crazed housefrau shooing away mice.
At this point, the captain turned to my buddy and his friends and in a matter-of-fact tone asked, “So, which one do you want to catch?”
Now, perhaps my friend stretched his fish story a tiny bit; but for the most part, I believe him. I also know enough about fishing to realize this story is by no means exemplary of the every day fishing trip. There are times when it takes hours to see any action, and then there are days when you get skunked. That, as the old saying goes, is why they call it fishing and not catching.
When I think of the ideal hiring situation, I picture myself on that boat. Instead of sharks, I am continually surrounded by hungry, qualified job candidates. Nearly all of them are keepers, and I get to pick the one with the exact dimensions I want. Granted, beating off the rejects with a broom might bring on some negative legal consequences, but other than that; it’s a darn good scenario, and it’s one that can really happen.
Getting the people you want boat side means making your business into a ‘hot spot.’ You need to brand it as a place where high performers want to be and to work. It means shoveling out a steady trail of desirable bait that’s heavy on realistic employee incentives and that oozes with the magnetic culture of your company. Bottom line, you’ve got to know what winners want from the job and then recruit for them by dangling the bait they’re after. (Continued below) |
