Standing out as a start-up means recruiting the talent best suited for your business. Hiring a team that can bring the core principles and values of your organisation to life is one of the biggest challenges any start-up will face.
In fact, how to successfully recruit start-up talent can often make or break your business. Urchana Moudgil is Co-CEO of tech start-up Loytech, the finance director turned disruptive tech entrepreneur, having established the business in January 2021 with co-founder Craig Unsworth.
Loytech is best known for Mór (www.themordcard.com),), the employee and customer loyalty platform powered by independent brands. Mór is also providing a platform for female founders with over 50% of the brands on Mór led by females.
With almost two decades of experience behind her, Urchana has held senior finance roles in some of the world's leading communications and strategy consultancies, including freuds, Shine Communications, SEEN Group and Teneo (formerly Blue Rubicon), as Finance Director.
Invest in the right team
To flourish, your start-up needs to hire the right people to create a team that can deliver your business goals and achieve success.
A start-up can live or die on the strength of its team. Any brand or business can have a great idea, however without the right team to implement it, that idea means nothing.
Investing in the right people is important. Your team should reflect the values and ethos of your business and the image you wish to portray.
Because of this, spending time on the recruitment process is essential. It’s important to consider what is required for your business to be in good hands, therefore look for people who are knowledgeable, experienced, competent, and trustworthy.
Of course, one person can’t do it all – you’ll need to build a skilled team that covers all bases of your business. For the foundations of your team, relevant and prior experience is a great starting point.
Consider and decide upon your recruitment strategy and stick to it where you can. However, there will be times when you need to be adaptable and pivot due to the needs of the business and that’s okay.
Create a positive workplace culture
Consider the culture that you are creating. Make sure that each person fits into your business and complements the other personalities already on board.
There will be some people who thrive in a corporate setting and some who prefer a more relaxed environment. It’s therefore beneficial to understand what each candidate prefers to ensure they will be a good fit for the culture you are creating.
It’s also not just what a candidate can do on paper. Building a solid team, full of people who get on with each other, and work in synchronised ways, is key to creating the foundations for success.
Your team should showcase your brand. It should tell a story. What kind of company are you building? What are your ethics, morals, and principles? Are you a progressive company building a modern workforce championing diversity and gender equality?
Get the interview process right
There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to the interview process and each business is different. Instead, it’s about finding out what works best for you and implementing it into your customised interview process.
If you are approaching the hiring process as a time-consuming inconvenience, then you need to change your mindset and approach.
The hiring process represents the start of an exciting journey. This is the first step towards creating a team based on the ideals of the business you are building.
For a successful hiring process, you should incorporate multiple phases to make the application and interview stages simple and enjoyable for both sides.
- Start with a 30-minute chemistry chat. Do you get on? Can they do the role? Will they fit in? Is this the right job for them in their career right now?
- Progress to a competency-based round – take a deeper dive into what they can do. Try to understand their logic and how they do things.
- Move to a skill-based round if required – for development roles for example.
You should always go the extra mile to find the right candidate. Remember, the wrong person can hurt your business and have a negative impact on the rest of your team.
Be competitive
Consider what makes your business competitive and what makes you stand out. Shout about it so you can attract the right candidate.
The next generation of talent is no longer simply looking for a competitive salary. They are looking for a full and comprehensive benefits package that matches their values.
Employee Reward providers such as Mór emphasise the importance of offering a benefits package that will attract the right talent and reflects a modern and innovative workplace.
They believe that creating a modern work culture is also essential when it comes to attracting high calibre candidates. Ask yourself: are you encouraging flexible or remote working? Has your company introduced a four-day working week?
We often say, “We work to live and not live to work”, but how many of us actually do that? Are you aiming to create an organisation and environment that actively encourages a positive work-life balance? This is essential when it comes to attracting candidates in a competitive marketplace.
On top of this, are you prioritising employee welfare and creating a positive culture that is invaluable for productivity and the wellbeing of your team? If so, let people know about it.
Take time to onboard
You have recruited the best candidate and talent for your start-up. Now, it is time for you to put your words and promises into action and show them why they were right to join.
Make sure you have the tools ready for your new hire to hit the ground running. This way, they will have the best opportunity to make an impact on the business and team.
Don’t forgo the onboarding process. It will ensure the new hire has a full understanding of the business, the role, the business's narrative, focus, culture, and goals. Meeting every other employee through a short one-to-one ‘speed-dating’ session is a great way to integrate a new hire into the team.
Ensure your new employee has a chance to get to know everybody. This way, they’ll be made to feel welcome and part of the team.
By following these steps and catering your recruitment process to the needs and goals of your business, you’ll set yourself up for success. Your business can only thrive if every member of the team is passionate, skilled, and committed. So, consider your recruitment process the first step towards success.
