Grow your business with the right employees

I was at a conference last weekend, and I heard John Bisnar, a very successful Alpha attorney in California, describe how he gets and keeps the best employees.  He described it as his process for getting and keeping "superstar" employees.  It's certainly a strategy that has merit for any business of any size.  In fact, a version of this is used by Andy Grove at Intel, one of the few long-term Alpha's still maintaining its Alpha position today.

The strategy is pretty simple in concept, but, like most things that really work, it is hard to stick to and implement consistently.  Here's how John's version works:

Start with a clear definition of what a "superstar" employee would look like in your company.  Write a list of the specific attributes and behaviors you would expect.  This is not a job description.  This is a description of how a superstar employee works.

For instance, your list might include things like...

• extraordinarily skilled
• anticipates needs
• arrives early and is working at "start" time
• works well as a team participant
• never says, "That's not my job."
• thinks "outside the box"
• models how all employees should behave
• extremely productive
• understands and is committed to the company's mission

John Bisnar's team came up with 25 specific attributes that they believe describe a "superstar" employee, no matter what specific job title they hold.  When they hire, they hire to that model.  They look beyond just how much experience the person has or what success they have created in the past.  They look for signs that this person will be a superstar.  If that isn't what they see, the person doesn't get hired.  There is no hiring for the "B" team.  

Everyone is held to the same standard of excellence.  When a person proves that he is not going to become a superstar, he is gone as quickly as is practical.

Why this obsession with excellence?  Because in order to become and stay an Alpha, you have to be absolutely committed to having the right team driving your company.  The difference between having a superstar team and an ordinary team is not just how much people enjoy coming to work and working with each other.  It is also a matter of how much horsepower you are putting to the wheels of your daily efforts.

More gets done with more effectiveness and greater return on investment.  Every great employee spurs on every other great employee.

If you are not already an Alpha, you need The Alpha Factor – a revolutionary new look at what really creates market dominance and self-sustaining success.  You can get your copy at www.thealphafactor.com or at any online book store.