Hiring For Small Business – What You Need To Do First
When I first started my online business, I couldn’t imagine myself having employees or even contractors working for me.
I thought I’d be a solopreneur enjoying the work from home lifestyle forever, but the reality is that having a team of outside contractors can help shortcut your business’ growth and save time. And sometimes investing in your business can be fraught with mistakes, bad hires, and unfulfilled contracts.
But before you hire your next contractor, employee, coach, virtual assistant, or babysitter… you need to watch this video to find out my top tip for hiring.
Hiring For Small Business – My #1 Tip
Before Your Next Hire…
Before you get on the phone to talk to your next potential hire, whether that’s a copywriter, web designer, consultant, videographer, or virtual assistant… make sure that you forgive anyone you’ve worked with in the past.
In my web design days, I saw this a lot: a potential client would bring up all the things their previous web designer did wrong…
There’s two things that cause friction here: it makes you look bad, and it also makes the past designer look bad.
If someone is willing to speak about their “ex” web designer in such a way, then what makes you think they won’t do the same when they talk about you?
It’s a lot like dating, really. If you go on a first date with someone and they won’t stop talking about how horrible their past girlfriend or boyfriend was… you’re going to have a hard time connecting and creating a new relationship.
Now I’m not saying that things don’t go wrong between clients and vendors, but what I am saying is that if you forgive them before you enter into your next relationship, you stand to have it succeed!
And by the way, I’m not saying that things don’t ever go south when you hire contractors for your business, and you should be able to air those issues out freely.
The key distinction here, is that you don’t want to bring this kind of bad energy into a conversation with a new provider that you’re considering.
There’s immense power in forgiving, and I love the Hawaiian practice of Ho Oponopono: “I forgive you, I’m sorry, I love you, Thank you.”
When you do this exercise on your past vendors and partners, you’ll be able to enter into your next business relationship with a clean slate.
You won’t second-guess everything they say, and you’ll break the self-fulfilling prophecy that’s created when you keep re-hashing the past with your new web designer, copywriter, or virtual assistant.
Hiring For Small Business: Start With a Clean Slate
So go ahead, take a few minutes right now to make a list of the people that you need to forgive before you make another business hire.
Once you have your list, it’s time to close your eyes, visualize the person in front of you and say the 4 sentences from Ho Oponopono.
“I forgive you, I’m sorry, I love you, Thank you.”
This tip might seem too easy to be worth trying, but I’ve seen the miracles it can create when people forgive and start fresh. This simple exercise can work in any relationship too, not just business. It’s been a true keeper of peace in my family, and I really think it could change the way human beings interact on a global level.
But let’s start with our business relationships, shall we?
This tip is bound to save you hours of frustration when hiring for small business contractors or employees. Give it a shot! What have you got to lose?
I *really* needed to read this today. Thanks, Nathalie! A nightmare client from my past kept popping up in my mind as I read the whole article. I desperately need to send her some love and let her go <3.
I'm so glad this is going to help you let go of a past client! I know how much more space you'll have after you clear this, too. :)
This is such great advice! The concepts are very similar to Don Miguel Ruiz’s “The Four Agreements”–just in a tidier, smaller, but still highly useful package. Thanks for sharing!
@Michael Ooh I’ve read of the Four Agreements but haven’t taken a close look, thanks for bringing that to my attention. Love it :)
Great video Nathalie!
One thing I’d add – in my experience as a web designer, I’ve gotten a lot of business by being nice to those previously hired vendors. I always go into a project with an open mind and positive attitude – and not delve into why a former relationship ended. Projects can end for many reasons – and I’ve ended up creating new working relationships.
Keep up the great work!
@Michelle – That’s such a great point to add here. I love that you make a point to reach out to past vendors and to keep a positive attitude. It’s so true that things can end for a number of different reasons!
Nathalie, thanks so much! I have had some of those clients and am so grateful that I finally get to work only with the type of customers I LOVE — all due to B-School, since it helped me focus and 'personalize' by business; tone, voice, offerings, etc. (y)
Awesome Rob, I love that B-school has helped you hone in on your ideal people, business, and offerings. Congrats!
Nathalie, thanks so much! I have had some of those clients and am so grateful that I finally get to work only with the type of customers I LOVE — all due to B-School, since it helped me focus and 'personalize' by business; tone, voice, offerings, etc. (y)
Nathalie, this was a great post and video.
I too have recently dealt with a ‘client from hell’ and having some forgiveness-for that client is just what’s needed. Not to mention everything I’ve learned from working [and now -not working] with them.
I like to come into projects with a positive attitude and when a client starts in with the ‘my last ‘blah, blah’ rant-I listen then reassure them, that was then and this is now….and tell them we are going forward. It is also a good screening mechanism. Because IF a potential client is only ranting about a past vendor….perhaps I don’t want to work with them.
This video was a great reminder. Thanks again for posting it.
YES forgive the last one! If you don’t you’ll keep re-creating the same experience ver and over gain and frankly, if it was a bad experience let it go!
I am experiencing difficulties with my current landlady after months of smooth sailing and was asking this morning why it kept happening with all home-related situations, and what I could do about it… I read your post and saw the light, I had forgotten but not forgiven episodes of the past. Thanks Nathalie!
Aww I'm so glad this is going to help you with your landlady situation Eleonore, I think it does wonders on these types of situations!
Wow, never thought I'd hear you talking about Hoponopono! Turning into business spirituality? I like it!
Wow, never thought I'd hear you talking about Hoponopono! Turning into business spirituality? I like it!
Thanks Marta! If it helps people with their business, I think it's worth exploring. :)
Great video, Natalie!! I did the training with Mabel Katz and it was amazing!!I'm using this strategy every time I want some amazing results in my life :) It helps me to let things go and…make room for something else :)
Thanks Nathalie, It will be a good method to start in a new job, with a fresh spirit, full of love.
Yes! I am so glad to hear that Carolina! :)
Great post. I love it! I am on Lesson 121 in ACIM today so this is very very timely for me. Love the synchronicities! xo Ritu
You were right once again Nathalie, just what I needed to hear, moving on :)