Many small businesses struggle to recruit the right people.

They consequently spend excessive ammounts of time and energy on recruitment and training activities instead of growing their businesses.

However, finding the right people on a consistent basis is not a question of luck - but about taking some specific actions:

1. Construct a powerful vision

People are drawn to businesses that know where they are going and have a plan for success. Craft an exciting vision for the future and communicate it to potential hires all the way through your recruitment process.

2. Make 'finding and keeping the right people' a priority

Make recruitment and retention a priority now and you will save time and money well into the future. The key is to focus your time on the right activities so that you deliver results quickly and consistently.

3. Build a picture of the external marketplace

You don't need to be an expert - but it is important to have an awareness of your marketplace. What is happening in the local economy, the employment market and to salary levels? Who else is hiring; who are the best people in your market; where are they?

4. Develop your unique proposition as an employer

Why would talented people choose to work for your business? Like your products and services, you need to have a compelling message as an employer which makes you stand out from other employers against whom you are competing for people.

5. Be clear about the people you are looking for

This is not just a 'job spec' of skills and experiences you see on a CV - but being very clear about the type of personal attributes you are looking for. So ask yourself - what are the values, attitudes, the personality, level of ambition, the work ethic and work style that is right for your business?

6. Develop a low-cost, multi-channel attraction engine

The key is to search for people through multiple channels - direct applications, referrals, advertising, recruitment agents and headhunting/poaching. To keep costs to a minimum, the priority is to become highly effective at attracting people for free through referrals and direct applications. Whether you have a vacancy or not you should always be looking.

7. Sell the opportunity ethically and honestly

Learn to sell your vacancy in an ethical way that draws people to your business. Focus on understanding the needs of future employees and communicating your

unique proposition. Being honest, ethical and never overselling an opportunity will ensure you not only find people - but keep them.

8. Deliver a fantastic candidate experience

Businesses that succeed in treating potential staff like potential customers will always have more success in hiring the best people. Treating every applicant as an individual and making prompt decisions will determine your success - as well as enhancing your overall brand and reputation in the marketplace.

9. Create systems to deliver consistent results

You should always be looking for people - whether you have a vacancy or not. Setting up systems will ensure that the above activities happen consistently and automatically. That you continually attract the right kind of people all the time and without huge effort - it will follow naturally!!

Is all this easy? Does it happen overnight? No it does not.

It takes time, but the key is to make a start.

So starting now, take a look at the above list and ask yourself what ONE thing can your business start changing right now?

Once you start changing you will start to attract the right people into your business.

Which in turn will creating more time and money for you to spend on the business - as well as creating more time away from the away the business.

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