As your business grows, you will face the question should I hire an employee or contractor.  One of the most challenging aspects of hiring is finding the right person to work for and to work with your team. Potential candidates are everywhere.  You can find them at networking events, the bookstore, the coffee shop, someone who comes to your garage sale, on the tennis courts, etc.  But then there is that friend or family member who says, “I can help you with your business and your clients.”  And then you are stuck, what do you do?  Do you go down this very scary road knowing how challenging it could be.

On a recent Teleclass called The Ups and Downs of a Team Business,we interview Pam McCutcheon who owns a business and currently has four employees.   I asked her the question about whether or not to hire family or friends and she said she has worked with family members, but only in a pinch when they simply “pitch in.”  She has not formally hired a family member or friend as an employee.  She said, “It’s just too difficult when something goes wrong and you have to fire them.”  That sure does make Thanksgiving dinner stressful. 

Before hiring anyone, think about

• Your needs as an employer
• The duties your employee will perform
• Who you really want to work with
• What kind of person will make your life easier

Ask yourself these questions and more clearly identify who can help you grow your business.  Hiring a family friend because they have a few free hours in the afternoon is not going to make your life easier.  Seek out the very best person you can find and afford to hire and that person is not often cousin Cindy.  Sure they can pitch in, but don’t spend time training them and teaching them your style and techniques for them to leave in a few weeks when something better comes along or it becomes summer vacation. 

For more information on hiring a contractor or an employee, listen to our Teleclass called Employees vs. Independent Contractors  with attorney Lisa Montanarno and to learn more about the managing a team business, listen to  the Ups and Downs of  Team Business with expert Pam McCutcheon.