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Hiring

Mikki Kavich MCPF

Mikki Kavich MCPF

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Messages
689
Loc
Crossville, TN
Company
Mikki's Frame Shop
A few weeks ago I asked for input on questions to ask when hiring someone and I thought I would share something I heard on the news Monday.

Mark Zuckerberg was asked what he looks for in a personal assistant when hiring and he said....He looks for someone he would like to work for.

That hit me strange until I thought about it directly using the young lady I had just spoken to.....and it made so much sense to me.

I had one day with....bad decision making Rob Lowe. This was how I described her at the end of the day...so not the kind of person you want in a small space with you.

Still looking for someone!
 
Thanks, a good perspective.

Beyond the basics, hiring someone in businesses like ours has to be more subjective. That close space description is a good one.

If you don't enjoy someone's company, if you can't be anticipating each other's needs, it can get very dreary. I will admit that I really prefer to be on my own. I have trouble having even the near perfect employee I like in my small space.
 
That's tough. I am self-employed because I wouldn't want to work for anyone. That really narrows down the field, doesn't it?
That said, I've had the same employee for 14 years. It's not a perfect relationship but stuff gets done when it needs to. I look at all the trouble other small businesses have with getting and retaining employees and I weigh that against the less attractive side of the relationship and figure I'm ahead of the game.
When Mark started with me it was a part time seasonal position and he was planning on leaving town within a couple months. Funny how things work out. He was working full time within 6 months.
 
I think we all have to make our own Amandas.

Mine is named Nadine. She's been with us almost 10 years and, as noted in another thread, she's leaving at the end of April to get married. Before Nadine it was Patricia for 13 years. Before that it was Debbie for 8 years. There have also been others (quite a parade of them, to be honest) along the way during the busy times, but either I didn't want to keep them or they didn't want to stay.

Anyway, the point is that the quality of an employee depends on the boss more than anything else. True enough, an employee in a frame shop must have good manual skills; some sense of color, design, and materials; a compatible personality and a strong work ethic. Beyond those criteria, everything else can be taught. If you're thinking "I don't have time for hand-holding", remember that nobody could walk into a frame shop and do exactly what the boss wants instinctively. There is no substitute for technical training, time management, and task supervision. Plan and execute.

Sez me. :mmph:

In reality, after Nadine goes away I probably will carry on alone for as long as I can stand the pace, then find an orderly way out, which might be within the year. If I can't sell the business intact, or sell off the equipment & inventory in a bundle or two, I may take some of the toys home and continue playing at framing for a few more years. Or I may just shut down and liquidate the whole thing, so I can continue to write, teach, consult, and market Miter Tighter.

And another thing. Lately I've been hankering to ride off into some sunsets with Gail in that Audi A4S Quattro convertible we bought last November.

Good luck, Mikki.
 
Jim Miller said:
I think we all have to make our own Amandas. [ /quote]

I agree 100% that as an employer we have a large impact on how well an employee can do.

BUT, I must take exception to:

Jim Miller said:
the quality of an employee depends on the boss more than anything else.
Click to expand...

I would agree that if you have a moldable employee, that is true. One who listens and takes pride in their work. One who wants the provider of their livelihood to succeed so they succeed. One who cares about their fellow man.

Unfortunately, my experience is that there are precious few such out there. Maybe you've been discerning enough to always get the good ones. However, if your statement were true there would be no need to do any interviews. Just hire the first person through the door.

On the contrary, I have found that once you discover you've made a poor hiring choice the best thing to do is show them the door ASAP. With very rare exceptions, people don't change.
Click to expand...
 
This world would be perfect, if Mikki and the lovely Miss Sarah Beckett each had a frame shop in the same town in California.... like Santa Barbara for instance..... then I would apply for the framing position in each shop.......



...... Boy, can I dream or what? :)
 
I have my own Amanda. Only her name is Erin. So yes, that makes the two framers in the shop, both Erin.

She's like a sponge. Absorbs and listens to everything. She's naturally creative and framing just fell into suit with her.

You'll find your AmandaNadineErin. Promise
 
I try to pick people I'd want as a friend. If they can't make that impression, I don't hire them. I want customers to come in and want my staff to be their friend too.

Of course, there are other qualities that they need too, but if they have a bad personality, all bets are off!

Andrew
 
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