Creating Your “A-Team”

Hiring highly talented and motivated people (“A Players”) can spell the difference between success and mediocrity for your organization.

Your business doesn’t run itself. The quality of your organization depends on the quality of your team: A motivated, energized staff is the key to companywide success. You want “A Players,” those colleagues who contribute disproportionately to the advancement and profitability of the organization.

In the same way that the Pareto Principle states that 80 percent of results come from 20 percent of your employees (based on research by the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto in the early 1900s), your A Players have a measurable impact on your bottom line.

The Pareto Principle frequently is used in a sales environment, but it applies equally to a variety of industries. If you can build a team of A Players around you, then your job as a business leader or owner becomes much easier, as you do not have to deal with endless crises and can work more intentionally on developing your organization’s strategies for the future.

Leave No Stone Unturned

The funny thing about A Players is that you can find them in the strangest of places. A few years ago, James was running a car dealership that was lacking in quality salespeople. He received a call from his wife while she was out shopping for strollers, and asked him to meet her at the store. “I want you to meet Louise. She has a great attitude, and I think you’ll like her.”

Ten minutes later, he was walking into the shop to meet Louise. She was a class act and spent the next half hour asking the couple qualifying questions about their lifestyle. Once she had all the information she needed from them, she launched into a brilliant sales demonstration of various products. She was impressive.

James and his wife ended up spending more than $1,000 in the shop that day and were absolutely thrilled with their interactions with Louise. James was particularly impressed by her enthusiasm, energy and ability to listen intently to their needs, then repeating this information back when closing the sale. Too many salespeople believe that selling is about talking, but in reality it is actually about listening to your customers so that you can truly understand what they are looking for.

A few days later, James went back to the store and offered Louise a job. He was not sure that selling cars had been a part of her career plan, but to her credit she took a risk and joined the team the following month.

Initially, Louise struggled a bit because she had no product knowledge or customer base and was the only female on a sales team of 30. But with continual support from James and the upper-level staff and a combination of hard work and positive attitude, she began to flourish. By the end of the year, she was the top sales person at the dealership.

When you are seeking A Players for your organization, don’t just look for skills and experience. Start by looking for someone with a great attitude.

Building Your A Player Team

Here are seven tips to help you find your own A Players:

1. Develop a one-page plan.

Have a simple one-page plan that you can share with future employees. This plan highlights what you have achieved as an organization during the past year and what your vision is for the next three to five years. A Players are motivated as much by being part of an organization that has clear goals and aspirations as they are by salary and benefits. They want to be part of an organization that has a purpose.

2.Think outside the box.

Don’t just look in the same old places for new employees. Think about looking outside of your industry for people with the right attitude and a track record of success. You can always train for skills and product knowledge.

3. Have a telephone screening.

Consider having a 15- to 20-minute telephone interview with potential candidates. This can save both parties a lot of time and expense before a more formal interview is arranged.

4. Utilize personality profiles.

Use DISC or another similar personality profiling tool to make sure that you have a good fit for the role you are seeking to fill. Different fields require their own unique brand of skills, such as high-influencing personalities or levels of compliance.

5.Watch the body language.

Always have another person interview with you. If possible, get them to ask the questions so that you can concentrate on listening to the answers while also observing the interviewee’s body language to ensure that it is congruent with what is being said.

6.Converse with references.

Always insist on speaking to a former boss for a reference. Sometimes it is not what is said about the candidate but the way in which it is said (over the phone, for example) that can alert you to potential problems or provide clues as to the candidate’s positive aspects. Written references usually are brief and less helpful.

7. Offer a staff referral program.

Have a program in place that rewards existing staff members if they recommend someone for a position you are looking to fill. For example, you could offer a cash bonus to your employees if their recommended candidate is taken on, and another bonus if the candidate is still with you and performing well six months later. This has the added benefit of ensuring that the new member of staff has a mentor looking out for them during their initial six months.

 

Try some of these tips and see what works best for you. If you can surround yourself with a team of A Players who have great attitudes, are motivated by achievement and are strong in areas where you are weak, then your role as a leader or business owner becomes far easier. You can concentrate on setting the future strategy for your organization while your team achieves amazing results.

 

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Richard J. Bryan is an international speaker, executive coach and author of the forthcoming book “Being Frank: Real Life Lessons to Grow Your Business and Yourself.” Through his experiences as the fourth-generation Chief Executive Officer in a family-owned business, Bryan has gained a wealth of knowledge and developed into a true leader. By applying his creative strategies, he helps businesses hire the right people, forge dynamic teams and increase their profits. For more information, visit www.richardjbryan.com.