Posts

Loopholes in Hiring: What Are You Doing Wrong?

/in /by

StrategyDriven Talent Management Article |Hiring Loopholes|Loopholes in Hiring: What Are You Doing Wrong?It seems like you’ve decided to go through this article. Well, in that case, there’s a high probability that you’re looking for some assistance in your hiring decisions. Even if you’re an experienced recruiter, things could be looking gloomy in the recruiting area for some time, and that’s a point of concern indeed.

For instance, the problem could be that your employees aren’t meeting expectations, or you feel you’ve hired a good candidate for the wrong position! Fortunately, you’ve stumbled upon this article that will assist you in assessing your own recruiting methods and criteria.

Undoubtedly, hiring new employees is a complicated process. You have to know the law, set recruiting criteria early on, sort out an employment contract and – above all, ensure you’re recruiting the right person. You can easily err if you don’t check all the right boxes. After all, finding the wrong person is worse than finding no one at all – it means having to start over.

The trick to recruiting new employees for your business is to have a clear idea of the skills, characteristics, and experience required for that particular position. A reasonable plan to assess and attract the best of the best entrants is an essential component of effective recruitment. Unfortunately, too many businesses commit the same slipups over and over again, costing themselves money and time in the process. The best way to dodge these mistakes is to learn from them.

To make it easier on you, we’ve compiled a list of all the loopholes that exist in recruiting new employees, including a gist of how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Not Manifesting Technology

Are you still taking a stroll down the river to wash your clothes on the rocks? Do you hang your unmentionables over shrubbery to dry? Of course not: There is a better way, and you’d only give yourself some trouble if you do not use it. The same applies to screening potential candidates. Sifting through a mountain of resumes and printing every email is a tedious process. It wastes time and energy and leads to inefficient results, such as losing track of an applicant’s information, slowing down the recruitment process.

The Fix

Incorporating technology and specific tools in the recruitment process is a viable way to track all essential details. An applicant tracker, for instance, is a model built to help you handle everything from potential candidates to interview dates, job positions, job descriptions, and so much more. Furthermore, it casts a vast network for attracting applicants by driving traffic directly to your job openings and screens for the top candidates. So instead of schlepping home a box full of resumes to read, you’re now directly scheduling in-person and phone interviews and getting that position filled. It is not just a keen move but cost-effective and easier on your back as well.

Mistake #2: Rushing to Recruit Someone

Hiring someone without thinking twice or scrutinizing their experience/work profile can be as bad as not using technology or making the hiring process overly lengthy. Of course, there can be a sense of urgency to recruit an employee, especially if you have other staff covering the position putting additional strain on the team. But by trying to speed up the process, you may miss out on vital information, which could prove costly in the future.

The Fix

Focus on setting a realistic timeframe to send out the job offer and go through the hiring process. You can then share this with your team to get an idea of how long it will take to find the right candidate for the job.
Also, ensure that you take all the necessary time to perform relevant checks, contact references, and conduct online skill assessments. A checklist can assist you in this regard; by setting a timeline for every step, you can stay on track and ensure nothing is left out.

Mistake #3: Making decisions based on gut feelings

Human beings are biased – no arguments here. However, this becomes a problem when most of the recruitment at a company is based on gut feelings! Subjective and unthoughtful decisions are a primary problem in several organizations.

The Fix

Fortunately, with AI or Artificial Intelligence, recruiting managers can identify the right fit for the position by evaluating the applicant’s characteristics, skills, and other required criteria. AI-based solutions are designed to collect data and convert them into actionable insights. It will ensure that all the crucial decisions are based on untainted data, allowing companies to compare the skills required for a particular position with the applicants’ job profiles.

Moreover, deciding to hire someone based on gut feel can be damaging to the company. If you’re not careful, you might miss the red flags in job applicants. Performing extensive criminal background checks with candidates’ written consent through a third-party background checker is within a business’s legal right, so it’s something you should consider. Background checks can expose problematic behavior and keep bad employees from being hired at all. Since background checks are standard practice, most job seekers are aware that they may go through them.

Mistake #4: Not Including other Staff Members

Hiring managers often use the same old recruiting criteria used previously to hire the last employee. What they don’t realize is that the skills or role requirements might have changed. They often fail to mention these additional requirements in their requisition. Thus, the job offer might attract the wrong group of candidates.

This mistake usually occurs when recruiters and HR work in isolation, not consulting the team and hiring managers about the actual job preferences and duties. This makes the hiring process even more chaotic and prolonged than anticipated.

The Fix

Involve all your staff members in the recruitment process. More than 50% of the time, it is seen that hiring managers make tweaks to the job description. You can invite your staff members into your talent acquisition podium so that you can all give your two cents on the hiring process. Moreover, with open-end discussions, you can discover the right candidate for the job opening.

Mistake #5: Not Offering Enough

When it comes to hiring new employees, staying within your budget will forever remain an essential consideration. Many organizations walk a fine line between spending enough money to expand their business and staying profitable. But now more than ever, job applicants know what they are worth, and they are searching for a job that will be realistic in terms of amenities and salary. So offering less for a job that deserves more is a definite no-go.

The Fix

It is wise to look at what other organizations are paying their employees. The same websites that candidates will use to research what a position is worth can help recruiters too. You don’t necessarily have to pay more than your competitors. Still, you should play fair if you’re expecting to attract top-class talent.

Furthermore, suppose you don’t have the budget to match what your contenders are paying. In that case, you can perhaps offer other bonuses, such as an office gym, 401k matching, tuition reimbursement, etc.

Conclusion

So there you have it – a list of all the plausible mistakes that are bound to sabotage and possibly derail a recruitment process. All recruiters need to consider the pointers mentioned above to ensure an effective and smooth hiring process. To err is human, of course, but you can streamline the entire process and run it smoothly with a little bit of effort and technology. Just be sure to take your time and assess the potential candidates with a sharp eye, and before you know it, you’ll have no trouble finding the best fit for the job.

Guide to Throwing the Best Fall Party

/in /by

StrategyDriven Managing Your People Article |Best Fall Party|Guide to Throwing the Best Fall PartyBackyard parties are on the way out with the summer months. This is your last chance to throw the best backyard party to celebrate fall and make those fun memories before the cold comes in and sends everyone inside for months. In many ways, the cooling air will make it easier to plan the party.

All you really need is to make it feel cozy and warm and it will be a big hit. But, keep in mind that it is still warm enough for bugs so consult a professional about a mosquito and tick control and preventionplan before the party date.

Once these details are out of the way you can concentrate on the fun stuff. Food and invitations and decorating. Everyone who enjoys entertaining knows that it is so important to have the right food in the correct amounts at a party. It is better to have too much and send covered plates home with guests than to have to call for pizza halfway through the festivities.

That will make your party memorable for all the wrong reasons. Sit down and start making a list of what you will need to make your party special so you can be sure to have a roaring good time.

Digital Invitations

You no longer need to go to the trouble of printing out matching invitations and finding envelopes and addresses etc. Those days of getting irritated with invitations are over. Now, you can design the best and most attractive invitation you could want online and send it out via social media.

You can even make one invitation and a Facebook group where you invite all your guests. They will see the invitation and can easily plan out who brings what and any ride-sharing arrangements in one convenient and easily accessible platform.

This is also a great avenue for conveniently informing everyone about the weather in your area. You can update the group easily about how to dress for the weather, the seating arrangements, and how you plan to occupy their children. They might be able to suggest better activities or volunteer babysitting duties on a schedule so everyone gets to have some fun and enjoy the food.

Get Enough Chairs

It might seem like an easy task to fulfill for the party but seating can be a hassle if you’re not careful. People use seating options to put down their stuff as well as settle their children and their supplies. If you have just enough seating for the exact number of people attending your party, you will have some grumpy people with nowhere to sit.

Look for multiple seating arrangements to accommodate tastes. Deck chairs are always popular but have some table seating as well for older folks who cannot hold a plate with one hand while eating with the other. These tables will also make it easier for any parents to feeds their children with less fuss and mess.

Make it Feel Cozy

Plenty of warm lighting is necessary for evoking that cozy and comfortable feel of fall. A great way to add some real warmth and amplify the coziness is to build a fire. This will be immensely popular with everyone from kids to adults. The appeal will skyrocket if you have plenty of supplies for making s’mores.

Make sure to have plenty of lighting even if you light a fire. A fire tends to draw so much attention that you may think it provides enough light to the backyard. But it will be surrounded by people and the glow will be dimmed. Lights outside the glow of the fire are necessary to make sure people see where they are stepping. Some people may also not be comfortable too close to the fire. They will appreciate a well-lit cozy area to enjoy the fire from afar.

Many Lighting Options

There are many types of lights that you can rent or even purchase for this and other uses. Fairy lights look great in a backyard and add a magical feel that children will love and appreciate. It is also a way to add some lighting to the trees and bushes without too much harshness.

People will be able to easily identify the trees and bushes and see if there are seating options, so they can sit there or avoid going towards those areas because there is clearly no well-lit seating. This is the best way you can ensure that no one trips and falls trying to wander around your garden.

Depending on the type of gathering you are planning, you may need some tents or large parasols as well. In some areas, it can rain towards the evening. If you do not want to be driven inside by a light shower, then some waterproof awnings are a necessity.You may need to find out if your patio has the room and load-bearing capacity for the numberof guests you want to have. This is one of those details that do not easily occur to someone till they hear the deck creaking from the number of people on it.

A party is fun because the party planner makes sure that everyone can concentrate on having fun. If all these details are too much for you, there is no harm in hiring an event planner to put it all together for you. That way, you can enjoy yourself at your party as well, without worrying about everyone else’s good time.

Don’t Miss These 5 Ingredients For A Successful Online Company

/in /by

StrategyDriven Entrepreneurship Article |Successful Online Company|Don't Miss These 5 Ingredients For A Successful Online CompanyAre you thinking about starting an online company? If so, then it’s important to understand the ingredients you’ll need to guarantee that your business is a success. There are various elements that you will have to get right here that should help separate your company from the rest of the crowd. Let’s look at some of the key possibilities.

A Great Website

First, you need to ensure that you do have a fantastic business website. The website will often be the first impression that customers receive of your brand. If you don’t hit the right marks here then they could be turned off enough that they will avoid buying from your business completely and that’s the last thing that you want.

When you are building your website, think about the structure. It’s important that they can find what they are searching for in minutes. You might also want to think about other elements of your website as well such as the content. In terms of marketing, content is still king. Any content on your site needs to be targeted, interesting and engaging to create the right impact.

Fantastic SEO Options

If you don’t have SEO then your new online business is going to be dead in the water. The reason for this is quite simple. The vast majority of online interactions still begin with the use of a search engine. So, if you don’t have SEO then customers won’t be able to find your business online at all. One of the ways that you can handle this is by making sure that you do explore the right SEO service. Affordable SEO services for small businesses are available and can be highly useful to you. You do, however, need to understand the signs that you have a high-quality service.

An example would be how businesses handle quotes for services that they offer. A high-quality company will want to get to know your brand and understand your current position on the market before they provide you with a direct quote. If they don’t do this, then there’s a chance that the company is providing a cookie-cutter solution. In cases like this, you are always going to struggle to stand out.

Ultra Levels Of Engagement

Next, you need to ensure that you are getting the right level of engagement with your business. One of the ways that you can do this is by making sure that you focus on your social media marketing campaign. There are various social media networks that could be beneficial to you. It’s worth using a marketing agency to research which ones your customers are most likely to frequent. For instance, if you are running a B2B business model, then LinkedIn and similar options could be very useful to you.

Fantastic Reviews

These days a business will live or die based on the reviews that it receives from customers. If you don’t get the right reviews in your company, then you are going to struggle to get customers to buy your product or service.

Indeed, polls suggest that 80% of customers will not commit to a purchase of a product or service until they have checked the reviews online. If you are struggling to get reviews for your business, it might be worth simply asking for them when customers buy your products. Even getting mixed reviews is better than having zero attached to your business brand.

Budgeting

Finally, you do need to make sure that you are not going overboard with your budget and your spending in your business. It’s important to make sure that you keep this under the right level of control. There’s no set rule on how much you should spend for a business like this. You just need to check that you are not sinking into debt. This can be avoided by using a cloud accounting service. A solution like that will mean that you can check your spending in real-time.

We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you can take to guarantee that your new online company is the tremendous success that you hoped for. If you make the right choices here, then you will be able to guarantee that you can effectively rise above the competition and ensure that your company gets the level of interest it deserves.

Be aware that there are countless small businesses started up online each year. The majority of these never reach a significant level of success. You need to make sure that your business doesn’t fall into this particular trap.

3 Signs Your Line of Business Is No Longer Making You Happy

/in /by

StrategyDriven Professional Development Article |Line of Business|3 Signs Your Line of Business Is No Longer Making You HappyOwners start a business to achieve financial freedom and to get into an industry that appeals to them. Many owners have a five or ten-year plan that gives them a chance to set up an organization that is a fine-tuned machine, and they can let managers run it while the owner does whatever they want. This isn’t the case with all business owners, and some become trapped in the business.

There are several signs that the owner is no longer happy with their company or their day-to-day lives. When it becomes apparent to them that this business isn’t what they want to do for the rest of their lives, the owners will need to take some drastic steps.

Brokers can help business owners who are dissatisfied with their business sell the company. They can present the owners with several options for selling the business and collecting a great return on their investment. When selling a company, there are several steps that must be completed, and the first step is to decide when it is time to sell. For many owners, the moment they notice the following three signs is when they have an epiphany that the business just isn’t for them anymore.

1. You Feel Like You’re On A Hamster Wheel

When starting a new business, the owner chooses a niche or industry that they are passionate about. They want to provide products or services that the owner is excited about and enjoys doing or creating. If the business becomes too much for the owner, it could make them feel like they are running on a hamster wheel. At this point, the owner is just going through the motions of everyday business operations and isn’t as passionate about their venture.

It could take many years of being in business before the owner feels this way, but if they lose their passion for the business, it is likely to occur when times are their toughest. If a business venture starts to fail, the business owner will become stressed in their attempts to save the company and keep the doors open.

They will feel like each day is the same as the day before as if they are on a continuous loop of the same activities. This could be the last straw for many business owners who have lost their happiness in the company. Business owners can get help from brokers from CGK Business Sales if they are ready to sell their business.

2. Self-Sabotaging the Success of the Business

Once a business owner has reached the end of their rope with their current venture, they may start self-sabotaging the success of the business. This could start out as rude or outlandish responses to followers on their social media pages or a botched interview on a news outlet. With each turn, the business owner will take part in activities that do not keep the company in a positive light. They could create a complete PR nightmare that sends customers running.

The owner may choose to make changes to the product line that will make the products unappealing to their target audience. They could undermine their workers and cause conditions that make their employees begin to leave the company suddenly and unexpectedly.

When self-sabotaging, the business owner will create situations that make it impossible for the company to thrive or generate adequate profits. They continue to delay the release of a new product or spend entirely too much on one product. There are a variety of circumstances that self-sabotaging could create that cause the business to fail.

For most, it is the simple fact that the owner is no longer happy with their business, and it can become something more than they expected or ever wanted. There are several reasons the owner will self-sabotage, and they all have the same outcome, which is the end of the business.

When it becomes apparent that the owner is self-sabotaging, it is wise to speak to a broker about selling the company. It is best to sell the company while it is successful and generating exceptional profits. If the owner sabotages the company until they destroy it, they will not get as much back when they sell the business.

3. You Don’t Get Any Enjoyment from Your Work

At the beginning of a new business venture, the owner will find happiness and enjoyment in what they do. New owners often choose businesses that let them do the things they love the most. Once this task becomes tedious and boring, the business owner will not want to continue to do any of it.

A lack of enjoyment in their work could lead to depression, heightened stress levels, and the need to isolate and shut themselves off from others. Whenever a business owner is no longer happy with a business, they have two options: they can sell a thriving business to another company or new investors or shut down the business and sell the assets.

A broker could provide further insight into what option is best for the business owner. They went into business to become successful and thrive, but even if the business is thriving it doesn’t mean that the owner is happy. They may want to start a new chapter in their lives and go in a completely different direction. Once the owner decides to sell the business, they can contact a broker and get started on a new journey.

Business owners who no longer feel the joy in their business or their daily operations may be ready for a dramatic change. If they are no longer happy with their business, the owners have the opportunity to sell their business and start fresh. Brokers can help business owners get a proper valuation for their business and determine the best time to place it on the market. With the right plan, the business owner could get a major return on their investment and find a new venture that brings them happiness.

3 Marketing Strategies to Direct your Food Business towards Success

/in /by

StrategyDriven Marketing and Sales Article |Marketing Strategies|3 Marketing Strategies to Direct your Food Business towards SuccessRestaurant marketing trends are continuously changing the digital works, and staying updated often seems a challenge. This saying holds good, especially when you’re keeping up with day-to-day restaurant management. And, choosing to ignore marketing for your restaurant is never an option. It is essential for retaining current customers and is an excellent way of maintaining healthy long-term growth.

Thereby, successful business tycoons suggest establishing a marketing campaign. It is because it helps in understanding your target audience. By doing so, you’ll have a glimpse over whether you’re marketing for young millennials or families. And, in turn, helps in ensuring that your brand message reaches your target customers most effectively. Spreading those marketing resources wisely is not to mention!

Now that you’re focused on growing your restaurant business, here are some marketing strategies that can help you increase your business revenue. These are:

Enable Mobile Ordering and Delivery:

Customers today are demanding more flexibility and personalization in their ordering. And, this change makes restaurants experiment with things like ordering through self-service kiosks to even through a mobile device.

Restaurant services and e-commerce businesses witnessed a paradigm shift when they delivered food. Also, both these businesses saw an immense increase in revenue.

Research shows that customers that order food online tend to visit a restaurant more frequently than those who don’t. And, restaurants are reaping the benefits of increased visibility and better promotions on delivery websites and apps.

Just make sure that you have operational software in place to track the financial impact of delivery expenses. By doing so, you tend to make more informed decisions about your marketing priorities.

Optimize your Restaurant’s Menu Engineering:

One of the most visible pieces of restaurant marketing is its menu. And, that’s the reason your restaurant menu must be relevant and profitable for your bottom line. Know that creating menus need an apt balance of popularity and profitability. Thus, make sure real-time and accurate data drive it.

Successful restaurant owners are all thumbs up for the latest technology, that’s outdoor signage from Sun Vision Display, as it fascinates customers to visit the restaurant and place orders. Studies show that 30% of customers influence digital menus at their restaurants. Also, it helps in converting paper menu cards into digital ones.

As a restaurant owner, you can display all your food ideas by having a digital menu list in place. This screen also helps in displaying respective prices on the digital signage screen. These are a must-have for businesses and restaurants, especially as they show offers and discounts, which helps grab customer attention and motivates them to place orders.

Prioritize Local SEO:

Local Search Engine Optimization means optimizing your local restaurant website. By doing so, you attain a higher rank on Google pages for their search keywords local area users search about your state or city. For example, “the best pizza in Chicago”.

Also, for optimizing your website for local SEO, it’s vital to work over your keywords. This factor will help you see what your audience is searching for. You can make use of tools like Google Keywords Planner or Keywordtool.io. Now you know all about it, turn to website development to focus on ranking for these terms.

Local SEO doesn’t show quick rewards, but it can have bigger prizes. Know that around 75% of users never move past the first page of search engine results. Thus, if your SEO efforts are up to the mark, the impact on your revenue and visits can be significant.

The Verdict

Restaurant marketing strategies are complicated and ever-changing. However, by using these creative strategies, you can gain information about customers and operations, which can help your restaurant marketing gain new revenue.