Uncertain about your ability to manage your business? Worried about who will take care of your business in your absence? The answer to these questions and concerns is quite simple: consider hiring a business manager who can run the business for you. This takes a lot of time and effort as it is difficult to find someone who is worthy of that high level of trust required to allow someone to run your business for you.
Reasons
There are a lot of reasons why you might consider hiring a manager. You may own a business that has hours of operation that far outstrip one human being’s ability to be at the office, or you may own an absentee business where you are only present to manage things a few hours a week. Perhaps you have too many higher-level priority items to deal with and lack the valuable time to spend managing your business yourself. If you have another job, you may need to continue your employment. Or, you may simply lack managerial experience and confidence. The reasons why an entrepreneur might seek to hire a manager are almost too numerous to mention, and each reason is valid in and of itself.
Characteristics: What to look for in a manager
An experienced, mature person who has previous managerial experience in the field or industry that you are interested in
A dynamic, forceful person who has the charisma and ability to lead others, as well as the ability to set boundaries and have clear expectations of performance
Someone who is dedicated and honest with the interpersonal skills that are necessary to manage others
Someone who can fulfill both current and future requirements of the position
Words of Caution
Your business will only be as good as the manager you hire, so take care during the hiring process to select the proper individual who will be the right fit for your company.
There is no such thing as a part-time start up. Even if you hire a manager, don’t expect to have a lot of free time.
Hiring any new employee is an expensive proposition. Do a cost-benefit analysis.
The Selection Process
Create a list of current and forecasted job requirements for the new manager, and use this to create a checklist for the interview. You can also use this list to create an advertisement to seek out the job applicant.
Place your advertisement in industry-specific trade journals to seek out applicants that have the expertise that you want for the position. Where you place your advertisement will be reflected in the qualities of the candidates for the job.
Create a screening process, through informal telephone interviews and resume reviews, and select your top candidates for the position. Make sure that the number of top candidates is high enough to give you a selection pool; ten candidates is a good general number.
Have a detailed application form and require references. Remember to actually check the references provided!
If you say you’ll get back to someone, do it. Even if getting back to them means rejecting them.
Look for inconsistencies between the resume and the interview and references during and after the interview.
Remember that hiring a manager is one of the most important hires you’ll have to deal with.
Take your time with the selection process. Don’t rush into hiring someone because they strike you as a good candidate. Be thorough and do your homework. Don’t let desperation control the selection process.
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