How to Hire Employees for Small Business: Expert Takeaways from Girish Tilak
Scaling a small business in India, particularly one generating around one crore in revenue, is no small feat. A key challenge is hiring the right team to drive growth. In a recent episode of deAsra Foundation’s dreamBIG programme, Anand Godse interviewed Girish Tilak, a hiring expert with over 30 years of experience, to explore how to hire employees for a small business. Their discussion offers practical wisdom for industry leaders across sectors.
Whether you’re asking, “How do I hire an employee for my small business?” or seeking hiring strategies for small businesses, Girish’s insights provide a clear path forward. This blog, drawing from their conversation and resources like deAsra’s dreamBIG programme, unpacks essential tips to help you hire effectively. For further guidance, visit deAsra’s blog.
Why Mindset Matters in Hiring for Small Businesses
Girish Tilak stresses that success begins with the mind, and hiring is no exception. He advocates for a commitment-driven approach: “Commit to what you can do, and do what you commit to.” This principle, which he instils in entrepreneurs and teams, is central to hiring for small businesses. When building a team, prioritise candidates with a positive, adaptable mindset over polished skills. A can-do attitude, eagerness to learn, and alignment with your vision are critical for growth.
For businesses in sectors like food, fashion, or beauty, hiring strategies for small businesses should focus on attitude. Skills can be honed through training, but a growth-oriented mindset is harder to develop. Girish’s advice ensures your team shares your goals, fostering synergy that propels your business forward.
Knowing When to Hire
A common question for entrepreneurs is, “How do I hire an employee for my small business?” Girish identifies clear signs that it’s time to hire:
- Incomplete Tasks: Struggling to complete essential work indicates a need for support.
- Non-Value-Added Activities: Spending time on tasks like paperwork that don’t drive growth signals a need for help.
- Declining Performance: Slipping delivery times, slower responses, or dropping quality are red flags.
- Overwhelm: Feeling stressed or unable to maintain quality while juggling tasks is a strong cue.
Recognising these signs early is vital for scaling. By acting promptly, you can implement hiring strategies for small businesses that prevent burnout and sustain growth.
Overcoming Mindset Blocks in Hiring for Small Businesses
Entrepreneurs often face mental hurdles when hiring for a small business. Girish notes that many expect candidates to have every skill at a low cost, likening it to wanting a luxury car on a budget for a basic model. This unrealistic expectation can stall hiring. Instead, focus on candidates’ potential within your resources.
Another barrier is the “I can do it all” mindset. Girish explains, “It’s a journey from being self-employed to becoming an entrepreneur.” Scaling requires delegating tasks to others. Overcoming these blocks allows you to develop hiring strategies for small businesses that align with your growth ambitions.
Crafting Effective Job Descriptions
A clear job description is essential for how to hire employees for a small business. Nano-entrepreneurs often struggle to define their needs, resulting in profiles that are either vague or overly complex. Girish advises simplicity, focusing on must-have skills, tasks, and practical factors like location. For instance, hiring someone with a long commute in a city like Pune could impact performance.
To write a job description:
- Identify Core Tasks: List responsibilities for now and the near future.
- Focus on Essentials: Highlight critical skills, knowledge, and attitudes.
- Account for Practicalities: Consider factors like commute time or availability.
A concise job description attracts suitable candidates and clarifies expectations, answering, “How do I hire an employee for my small business?”
Where to Find Talent
Sourcing candidates is a cornerstone of hiring for small businesses. Girish recommends starting with referrals, which bring trust and familiarity. Alumni networks, NGOs, and institutions like ITIs are also valuable, especially for technical roles. In Pune, places like Aundh ITI train candidates for specific skills, ideal for manufacturing or food businesses.
Online platforms are equally effective. Social media – LinkedIn, Instagram, WhatsApp groups – doubles as a branding and recruitment tool. Girish suggests building a professional online presence: “Your social media should focus on your products, services, and customers.” A short reel showcasing your business and hiring needs can attract talent and clients. Platforms like Naukri.com and Internshala are great for hiring for small businesses, particularly for interns. Girish also advocates hiring senior citizens for operational roles, leveraging their experience.
Evaluating Candidates Effectively
Effective evaluation is key to how to hire employees for a small business. Girish advises using specific, close-ended questions to assess skills. For a food business, ask about recipe details; for technical roles, inquire about processes like CNC programming. This cuts through vague answers and reveals true capabilities.
To assess attitude, observe engagement during interviews. Girish emphasises mutual respect: “Make candidates feel the need is mutual – you need them as much as they need the job.” Involving your team in interviews ensures cultural fit and alignment with your vision, strengthening hiring strategies for small businesses.
Balancing Salary and Attraction
Salary is a critical factor in hiring for a small business. Girish acknowledges that take-home pay matters for candidates facing rising living costs. However, attraction goes beyond money. Share your business’s story, vision, and credible connections, like supplying to well-known clients (e.g., Chitale in Pune), to build trust.
A professional social media presence enhances appeal. Avoid personal or controversial posts that could deter candidates. Small gestures, like recognising contributions or inviting a candidate’s family for a meeting, boost retention and make your business stand out.
Building a Hiring-Ready Culture
A strong culture is vital for how to hire employees for a small business. Girish describes hiring as a shift from “I” to “we,” balancing team synergy with individual recognition. Simple acts, like praising a delivery person for timely work, foster belonging. Involving families in onboarding, such as inviting a candidate’s spouse for a casual meeting, builds trust and encourages retention.
Leveraging Technology and Trends
Technology is reshaping hiring for small businesses. Girish highlights that data-driven platforms like LinkedIn and Naukri connect you with local and remote talent. Use relevant keywords and SEO in your online content to reach candidates. Social media also keeps you attuned to customer expectations, guiding the skills you seek.
Girish predicts that skills will grow in importance as customers demand higher quality, driven by transparency and education. Staying adaptable and tech-savvy ensures your hiring strategies for small businesses remain competitive.
Addressing Retention in the Gig Economy
Retention worries many entrepreneurs in the gig economy. Girish advises focusing on value over loyalty: “Someone who delivers ten years’ worth of value in five years is better than someone who stays 20 years but delivers five years’ worth.” Hire from stable backgrounds and invest in employees’ growth to encourage them to stay. Family involvement, like hosting a candidate’s spouse for dinner, increases retention odds.
Key Takeaways for Hiring for Small Businesses
Girish Tilak’s insights offer a roadmap for how to hire employees for a small business:
- Mindset First: Hire for attitude, as skills can be taught.
- Time It Right: Hire when tasks lag, quality dips, or you’re overwhelmed.
- Be Specific: Use clear job descriptions and targeted questions.
- Source Wisely: Tap referrals, institutions, and social media.
- Build Your Brand: Share your story to attract talent.
- Foster Culture: Balance team unity with individual recognition.
- Embrace Tech: Use data-driven platforms for efficiency.
- Value Over Loyalty: Focus on delivery in the gig economy.
Conclusion
Hiring the right team is a game-changer for small businesses aiming to scale. Girish Tilak’s expert advice, rooted in decades of headhunting experience, provides a practical guide for how to hire employees for a small business. By prioritising mindset, crafting clear job descriptions, leveraging diverse sourcing channels, and building a strong culture, entrepreneurs can answer, “How do I hire an employee for my small business?” with confidence.
His emphasis on branding, technology, and value-driven retention equips industry leaders to navigate the evolving hiring landscape. For more tools and insights, explore deAsra’s dreamBIG programme and deAsra’s blog. Start building your dream team today and take your business to new heights.
FAQs
- How do I hire an employee for my small business when I’m just starting?
Start by recognising signs like missed tasks or stress. Use referrals and simple job descriptions focusing on attitude. Post on social media to attract talent while branding your business. Prioritise a can-do mindset, as skills can be taught. Check deAsra’s dreamBIG programme for more tips.
- What are the best hiring strategies for small businesses to attract top talent?
Share your business story and credible client connections. Use referrals, social media, and platforms like Naukri.com. Maintain a professional online presence and recognise contributions to appeal to candidates. These hiring strategies for small businesses work on a tight budget.
- How can I evaluate candidates effectively when hiring for a small business?
Ask specific questions about skills, like recipes or technical processes. Observe engagement to assess attitude. Involve your team for cultural fit and treat hiring as a mutual process. This ensures strong hiring strategies for small businesses.
- What should I include in a job description for hiring for a small business?
Keep it simple with core tasks, essential skills, and practical factors like location. Avoid unnecessary requirements. A clear description attracts the right talent for how to hire employees for a small business. Visit deAsra’s blog.
- How do I ensure employee retention when hiring for a small business in the gig economy?
Focus on value, not loyalty. Hire from stable backgrounds, offer growth, and recognise efforts. Involve families to build trust. These hiring strategies for small businesses encourage employees to stay.