What should I do before hiring my first employee?

Congratulations! You are at the tipping point of growth and success, but it can be stressful as well as exciting. You have been in control of every aspect of your business, but to grow you need a team.  

There are a few things you should do before writing that help-wanted ad:

• Prepare a growth strategy. A good hire always spurs company growth. Write out two job descriptions — one for you, and one for your new hire. What will your responsibilities be? What jobs will you be delegating? What will they require? What other resources will you need?

• Write out a list of standard operating procedures. How exactly do you onboard a new client? Send out bills? Answer correspondence and send out proposals? Having SOPs will help you train your new employee quickly, reducing the person's time being underutilized on your payroll.

• Create an onboarding process. Set the standard of expectations, excellence, and acceleration from day one. Secure the correct documents from federal and state governments, such as an employer identification number. Contact your insurance agent to find out what insurances you will need to carry, including workers' compensation. Consult an attorney or HR expert to ensure your documentation is complete and accurate. The last thing you need is a legal headache by not starting out on the right foot.

Hiring your first employee can be greatly rewarding if done correctly. Take the time to do due diligence, set expectations, and share your vision and business mission with your new employee. Finally, make the process fun, enjoyable, and rewarding — after all, you are now part of a team — your team!

Article originally published for Ask ACE - Maine Biz