David vs.Goliath is the classic story of a small shepherd defeating a giant warrior. We all know the story and have used it to describe competitors that are ill-matched for one another. In business, it often represents the big corporation versus the independent business owner.
This year, competing with big corporations for qualified employees might be a challenge, as many plan to increase their base pay to retain top talent. But as the story of the little guy winning against the giant proves – with a little ingenuity, anything is possible.
Specific hiring strategies enable Davids to slay Goliaths. Here are a few.
- Highlight the opportunity for growth. Employees often wear many hats at small organizations, which gives them a variety of experiences and the ability to develop greater skill sets. That’s something that young, ambitious people find very appealing.
- Emphasize the company culture. Workplace stress is not a novel phenomenon, but a seemingly never-ending pandemic has aggravated the situation. As a result, employees are dealing with heavier workloads, tighter deadlines, limited resources and less-than-ideal work environments.
- Offer flexible working conditions. One thing we’ve all realized in the last two years is that many people appreciate the opportunity to work remotely. Often, employees cite flexible benefits as a top reason for selecting, and then remaining with, a company. So, give people the opportunity to work remotely whenever possible.
- Create an environment that rewards hard work in real-time. Promotions and raises determined by performance instead of longevity are a huge selling point for top talent. After all, recognizing hard work will encourage employees to keep at it.
There are countless entrepreneurial Davids that defeated Goliaths. Being a small business doesn’t mean you can’t attract top talent. Don’t be afraid to be different. It’s your difference that’s so appealing. You have a lot to offer! Need ideas on how to hire and retain the best employees and stay within your budget? Boris Benic and Associates can help you get started.