When is the right time to expand my team?

Dear Aunty B,

I launched my architecture business 18 months ago with my business partner. The last few months, things have really started to pick up (hooray!) and we have more work than we know what to do with.

But now we’ve had to start turning down clients because we don’t want to spread ourselves too thin. I think it might be time to hire a junior designer but I’m not sure if it’s worth all the extra time to train and supervise their work. Not to mention finding the right person for the job.

My reputation is at stake if we don’t get the right hire after all. Do you have any advice to make this as pain free as possible?

Emily

Dear Emily,

Well done on growing your business to the next level in such a short amount of time!

Making your first hire does come with a whole new string of legal obligations, liabilities, expenses and, of course, paperwork. You will undoubtedly have to carve out some time for training and supervision too, but remember there is an important end game here – further growth!

Firstly, don’t rush the hiring process. You will save yourself a lot of time if you get it right the first time. There are plenty of online resources to help you work through the interviewing and hiring process. Or you can reach out to a HR professional for some more costly guidance. Personally, I would suggest you consider a trial and probation period for any potential hire.

It sounds like you will want to have close supervision and training with anyone you bring on board, which is a great headspace to be in with staff, but you’re right – it will take up a good slice of your time. Perhaps it’s time to consider outsourcing some of your other responsibilities, such as bookkeeping or marketing activities, so that you can for is your attention to it.

One of the hardest things about making your first hire is learning to hand over your old responsibilities to someone else. But if you hire the right person, you can be confident in handing them the smaller jobs you’re used to handling yourself, so that you can focus on the bigger goals. Remember, sometimes you have to let go in order to grow.

Be Smart,

Your Aunty B

What are you waiting for? Email your questions, problems and issues to auntyb@smartcompany.com.au right now./p>

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