My Laptop vs My iPad

Big corporate IT departments are constantly struggling to meet their end users needs.  In the good old days, business-class IT hardware was just too expensive for the individual. Sure, you could bring your personal laptop into the office but the gear that your employer provided was typically of higher quality so what was the point.  The IT departments “no corporate e-mail accounts on personal machines” policy wasn’t that big of a deal. We didn’t mind being told what we can use and how we could use it because there just weren’t that many choices.

But today, smart phones and iPads are changing things.  Particularly for a class of workers that I’ve heard  termed , “information consumers.” As the name implies, Information consumers tend to use more information than they create.  They  spend more of their time reading and responding to e-mail and using their tools to digest information created by other people instead of actually creating  content themselves.

Information consumers tend to be more mobile and traditionally they’ve used a laptop because of it. But it’s never been the perfect tool for the job. I spend a lot of time on the road visiting clients and prospective clients. As a result, I spend a lot of my “in between” time in coffee shops with Internet connections. In between time typically consists of a half-hour here 45 minuets there. I found that in between time is best used to log in and check e-mail and to catch up on phone calls. The brevity of my in-between time makes it difficult to get any other kind of work done.

A laptop is most certainly overkill for just checking your e-mail, but I’ve always found it difficult to do e-mail on a smart phone.   Like most people, my first smartphone  was a BlackBerry. I got pretty good at thumbing out two and three word e-mails, but composing and meaningful response to a client on a thumb pad was incredibly difficult for me.   I traded in my blackberry for an iPhone sometime ago and that certainly didn’t help to alleviate this issue.

As a result, I was always reaching into my bag for my laptop, turning it on, waiting, logging on to the wireless network, waiting, logging on to  the corporate network, waiting and then finally getting to access my e-mail. Depending on the speed and age of my laptop this exercise ranged from a few minutes to whole lot of minutes. It’s an incredibly frustrating process but I didn’t have a lot of options. That is, until now.

My iPad has a battery life of nearly 10 hours and so like my cell phone, it’s always on. I still have to wait a little bit to log onto the wireless network but it’s only a little bit. The big problem with the iPad is the integrated keyboard. It’s still difficult to pound out e-mail on the touchscreen. I solved that problem by purchasing a wireless keyboard that also serves as a protective case for the tablet.

I downloaded an app that allows me to create a remote desktop connection to my corporate resources. The app allows me to use the touchscreen to simulate a mouse cursor and it does an okay job, but again I really wouldn’t use this out to open up a word document and try to create a proposal or scope of work. There’s just not enough real estate on screen and the user interface is just too different for me. But I can certainly use it to login to Endsight business system to check on the status of the project or to reschedule a site visit.

I’m still heavily reliant on my laptop. In fact, I’m using it to compose this blog.  But my iPad has forever displaced it while I’m on the road. Quick access to my e-mail  while I’m mobile is just one of the things I like about my iPad. If you’re considering incorporating  a tablet into your computing environment and you like to hear more about my experience click here and let’s set up a time to talk in person.

Should You Outsource or Keep IT In-House?

I got this from Joel Jacobs, one of our owners.  To Read the original, click here: I agree with the author that for a small business (10 - to 50 computer users) outsourcing to a local provider is likely the best option. But that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily always the best option.   I’ve toured a several small businesses that have incredibly sophisticated IT requirements. The very best way to find out if IT outsourcing is a good fit for your organization is to meet in person to do a comparison.

By Scott Gordon
Part of the ECT News Network
07/22/09 4:00 AM PT

It’s nice to have an IT staffer in house who has intimate knowledge of your business, your network and your needs. However, few individuals are experts in all areas, and those who have the requisite skills don’t come cheap. No individual can be available 24/7 either. For many small and medium-sized businesses, outsourcing may be a better solution.

Maintaining the network. Ensuring remote users have access to resources. Updating virus definitions. Troubleshooting email problems. Any number of IT issues can arise on a daily basis.

So does it make sense for small businesses to hire a full-time IT staffer or outsource their IT needs? That depends. Weighing the pros and cons in both scenarios can help determine which option is likely to best serve small businesses.

In-House IT Support: Pros

Easy access: A tech support person on staff can address issues immediately. Other clients won’t be competing for your IT staffer’s time, though there may be other departments doing so.

Cost control: As a full-time employee, your IT support staffer’s salary remains the same, regardless of the tasks undertaken — for example, troubleshooting a printer problem, setting up a new server, or staying late on a Thursday night to complete an operating system upgrade. This means that your costs remain steady even as your technology needs change. This can be a double-edged sword, however.

In-House IT Support: Cons

Upfront and hidden costs: Hiring a full-time IT professional is an expensive endeavor. Providing that pro with a computer, desk, telephone extension, payroll account and benefits drives the cost up even higher. For many small businesses, having a full-time IT specialist with a full-time salary working on staff is too cost-prohibitive to even be considered a viable option. Not to mention the costs associated with ongoing training for IT personnel.

Limited technological expertise: Your IT specialist may be good with Excel and handy when it comes to figuring out why the printer isn’t working, but may not be as savvy when it comes to diagnosing network security issues or upgrading the Exchange server. It’s unlikely that one IT professional will be able to provide expertise for all of your technological needs. If having one full-time person is costly, you might not want to calculate the cost for a small team of specialists!

Outsourcing IT Support: Pros

Less expensive: All things considered, outsourcing tends to be less expensive than hiring a full-time IT employee in-house. Many costs — such as overhead — are spread over several clients via the agency model. Additionally, your small business doesn’t have to worry about costs associated with training or certifying IT staff.

Round-the-clock service: Most professional IT help desk or tech support firms offer their customers 24/7 access to tech support specialists, either by phone or through remote computer access. This means that you’ll have someone to walk you through resetting your email password — even at 2 a.m. What’s more, if your main contact is sick, there will be a substitute that you can count on.

Outsourcing IT Support: Cons

Language or cultural differences: Struggling to understand your tech support specialist can make a frustrating situation even worse. Unfortunately, many small businesses choose offshore outsourcing as their least-expensive option, while not considering the time and aggravation spent on communication issues. This can be mitigated either by carefully interviewing various offshore firms and giving them a "test drive," or by hiring a local firm. The latter may also allow you to have the specialist on-site, which is highly recommended for handling most IT support needs.

Not part of the team: Because outsourced IT specialists are there only when scheduled or when you need them to fix a problem, you’ll spend time bringing them up to speed when issues do arise or when you want them to provide advice on future technology initiatives. Again, there is a solution: Get an outsourced firm involved in your IT needs on an ongoing basis via "managed services." This way, the firm can help with routine help desk and tech support issues, and will be more fully plugged in to your needs and requirements when it comes time to upgrade the network.

And the Winner Is: Outsource Locally

Certainly, small businesses have a variety of options for solving their tech support issues. For most small businesses, however, outsourcing is the best option. Outsourcing tech support needs allows businesses to stay focused on their own core offerings without getting sidetracked on IT projects. It also allows businesses access to cutting-edge resources and expertise, without the costs typically associated with staying ahead of the technology curve.

For many small businesses, outsourcing to a local firm provides the right combination of cost savings, flexibility and round-the-clock support without the language or cultural issues that sometimes arise with offshore firms. Outsourcing locally also provides small business owners peace of mind that when they need on-site tech support, they can get it, thus allowing them to manage their business, not their network.

Endsight Named to the Inc. 5000

Endsight was named to the Inc. 5000 list, a collection of the fastest growing companies in America.

Endsight CEO Michael Chaput commented: "We are honored to be recognized by the Inc. 5000 for a second year. We have a great group of people here and they have worked hard to make Endsight successful."

Endsight placed at #2795 with a three-year growth rate of 79%. The 2011 Inc. 5000 reports that the IT Services industry as a whole grew by 56% and was one of the top 5 job generators from 2007 to 2010. To see Endsight’s listing, click here: http://www.inc.com/inc5000/profile/endsight.

Quality Equipment = Quality Experience

I don’t get to play golf as much as I would like, but you wouldn’t know it from all the golf shirts in my closet.  My wife is incredibly organized and errs on the side of minimalism. As a result, she really takes exception to the fact that I have so many shirts and she takes every opportunity that she can to get me to purge a few of them. In particular, she’s after one light purple “Polo” branded golf shirt that I’ve owned since college. The shirt’s in great shape but it’s age and the fact that I have so many newer, wife approved shirts places it in my wife crosshairs every time she gets an urge to spring clean the closet.

Problem is that I’m pretty partial to the shirt. Back in college I didn’t have a lot of money. So when my mother purchased the shirt for me I knew I had a quality item. Of course, I never would’ve dreamed that the shirt would’ve lasted as long as it has.

I usually tell my wife I can’t give the shirt away because, "I just look to good in it .”  Then she rolls her eyes and tells me, "get over yourself."  She’s right, it’s all too true that I feel like I look good in the shirt, but I think the real reason I keep the shirt around is because it’s a reminder of the quality of buying quality.

Similarly, there’s a lot of technology out there and just like golf shirts, tech comes in varying degrees of quality. Sometimes the technology is so important that it’s really hard to justify purchasing the most "economical" option. Yes, servers from reputable manufacturers such as HP cost more, but the data and software applications that reside on servers are vital.   If something were to go wrong HP has a pretty deep bench and resources that can be brought to bear to correct an issue. The risk of using a lesser-known manufacturer really outweighs any cost savings.

But sometimes the cost to quality trade-off is less cut and dry. Wireless networks for example are often targeted for cost-cutting. It makes sense, wireless networks are a more recent addition to corporate local area networks.  As such, I think they still carry the stigma of being considered optional or add-on.   Early on this may have been the case but now more and more of us have multiple devices that use a wireless Internet connection.  That means that the equipment managing the wireless network has to be more powerful and it has to be smarter and that means it’s going to be more expensive.

At Endsight, each of our clients is assigned a Technical Account Manager or TAM.  One of the TAM’s primary functions is to identify key areas of weakness or inefficiency in the computing environment and to make recommendations to address those areas. Part of the TAM’s analysis includes evaluating and comparing technology options. Endsight’s  Network Operations Team is also continually evaluating new hardware and software that can be safely and reliably deployed across the client base.

Sometimes we end up standardizing on one of the more expensive platforms and sometimes not. More often we find that the most valuable solution (the one that will provide the most "de-hassled" end-user computing experience) isn’t necessarily the most expensive solution. But because were looking for the most quality solution, most of the “economical” technology is rarely the right choice.

Adam Camacho, one of our TAMs, forwarded the included link:   This article by William Van Winkle, details the findings from a wireless performance test that his team conducted.   Adam included this as part of the due diligence he was conducting for one of his clients.

If you feel like it might be helpful to work with a partner that can bring recommendations based on research and analysis of what’s happening on your network, click here and lets schedule a time to meet in person.

Were looking for IT Engineers

About today’s job and tomorrow’s potential:

Joel J. and Joel C. both began their careers with Endsight in entry level positions.  Joel J. worked for a paper mill in Michigan and had no IT experience.  He began as an analyst writing proposals.  Joel C. was a senior at Chico, studying Information Systems.  He also had no hands-on IT experience and started as an intern.  Today, Joel C.  is out of school and working on production computer networks for hundreds of Bay Area companies.   Joel J?  He is now our Vice President of Engineering!

The good news is that your name doesn’t have to be Joel.  Scott, Marcus and Brian also started in entry level positions on our Support Desk.  Today Scott and Marcus are Senior Systems Engineers implementing sophisticated new technologies for our clients.  Brian is now a Technical Account Manager responsible for the IT strategy, design and account management for dozens of clients.

Are you looking for a company where you can work hard, grow professionally and have a blast at work?  Endsight is now hiring extraordinary people with 0-4 years of experience.

We have open positions on our support desk, field support and network operations center teams.  In addition to competitive salaries, we offer full healthcare coverage, a 401K matching program and many other unique benefits such as catered lunches and massages.

Please send your current resume to resumes@endsight.net

Check out the Job add on:

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/endsight

BrachOut: http://bit.ly/n7Mjlb

5 ways to make your keyboard easier to use

I found this helpful set of keyboard tips and thought it would be useful to re-post it.  You can see the original post from Microsoft by clicking here.

How to use a keyboard might seem academic, but there’s more to typing than just tapping the keys. For most people, the keyboard is the primary computer input and control device—that’s why it’s important to leverage the features and shortcuts that keyboards offer. Read on for tips to maximize ease of use, comfort, and efficiency.

1. Get to know your keyboard

Whether your keyboard is just out of the box or it has seen years of use, it may have features you don’t know about. Take a moment to review the literature that came with your keyboard, visit the manufacturer’s product website, and familiarize yourself with the layout of the keys. Knowing your keyboard’s capabilities and limitations—and where to find time-saving keys—can make it easier to use and can even increase your productivity.

2. Customize keyboard settings

After you’re familiar with your keyboard, customizing just a few basic settings can further improve your efficiency and accuracy. For instance, you can adjust:

• The pause before a character starts repeating.

• The speed at which characters repeat, which can help you avoid typing errors.

• The rate at which the cursor blinks, which can enhance its visibility.

You can make these changes right now:

• Windows 7

• Windows Vista

• Windows XP

3. Take shortcuts

Even if you’re a genius with the mouse, keyboard shortcuts can still save you time. They’re called shortcuts for a reason—they reduce multiple clicks to a single combination of keys, like hitting a chord on a piano. They also economize hand and arm motion.

Using keyboard shortcuts for the things you do all the time, like saving or closing files, can make computing much easier and faster. So whether you want to work more easily and efficiently in Internet Explorer, streamline your Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010 experience, or key international characters into your emails, you’ll find scores of shortcuts to speed you on your way. The table below offers only a few common standard-keyboard shortcuts, many of which work across Office applications—from Outlook to Access, from Visio to PowerPoint, from Word to Excel. You can find a more complete list of built-in keyboard shortcuts for a particular application by searching in Help for keyboard shortcuts. You can even peruse this keyboard-shortcut lists:

• Windows 7

• Windows Vista

• Windows XP

4. Make it easier to press multiple keys

If pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del seems an acrobatic feat, you can set up Sticky Keys. The Sticky Keys feature lets you hit shortcut keys one at a time rather than all at once. You can even set Sticky Keys to make a noise so you know it’s working.

You can set up Sticky Keys:

• Windows 7

• Windows Vista

• Windows XP

(Tip: In Windows 7 and Windows Vista, Sticky Keys has a keyboard shortcut—press Shift five times in a row.)

5. Find a comfortable keyboard

Keyboards come in many shapes and sizes, and the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard your coworker swears by might feel downright awkward compared to the Comfort Curve 2000 you covet. Keyboards come in a variety of colors and key styles, too, not to mention with and without wires. And some keyboards are definitely louder than others. All Microsoft keyboards are carefully designed to balance form and function with comfort. Test drive a keyboard or two to find the right one for you.

Although using the right keyboard can really make a difference, ergonomics also play a key role when it comes to typing comfortably.

Tips for using your keyboard ergonomically

It is essential to use good ergonomic practices to help prevent or reduce soreness or injury to your wrists, hands, and arms. It is particularly important if you’re in front of your computer for long periods.

Here are some ergonomic tips for a safer, more comfortable computer session:

• Position your keyboard at elbow level, with your upper arms relaxed at your sides.

• Center your keyboard in front of you. If it has a numeric keypad, use the Spacebar as the centering point.

• While typing, use a light touch and keep your wrists straight.

• When you’re not typing, relax your arms and hands.

• Take a short break every 15 to 20 minutes.

• Type with your hands and wrists floating above the keyboard, so that you can use your whole arm to reach for distant keys instead of stretching your fingers.

• Avoid resting your palms or wrists on any surface while typing. If your keyboard has a palm rest, use it only during breaks from typing.

How you use the keyboard is up to you. But by taking the time to adjust a few settings and to follow the guidelines above, typing on it can become easier, faster, and even safer.

What’s difference between Cloud Services and Managed Services?

Cloud computing is still a very buzzy notion and still very nebulous in it’s meaning.   As more  outsourced IT firms add cloud computing to their menu of offerings  I’ve noticed that a new term has emerged, “Cloud Services.”  I think this  will only further complicate an already confusing  buzz word bonanza that includes Software as a Service, Infrastructure as a Service, Hardware as a Service, Virtualization, Cloud Computing & Managed Services. 

I think that part of the confusion lies in the notion that each buzz word represents an all-inclusive technology solution for a small business.  Unfortunately, its not that easy.  Each term represents an approach to delivering technology and / or  technology support.  Since Cloud Services seems to be the new buzzword lets examine it  relative to  Managed Services.

What are Cloud Services?

To understand Cloud Services, first it’s important to have a rough definition of Cloud Computing.  Most simply, Cloud Computing is a computing architecture that allows a user to access a computer application (email for example) using the internet.  Google Apps and Microsoft 365 are examples of Cloud Computing for business productivity applications such as email, word processing, spread sheets and presentation.  For a more detailed definition of cloud computing click here.

The technology required to deliver Cloud Computing  is expensive.  Profitably operating a cloud requires lots  of customers.  Many local outsourced IT firms lack the scale to build and operate a cloud and so many of them do what they’ve always done,  resell some else’s product.   Most outsourced IT firms make the bulk for their money from professional services  and so they tack the word “ services” on to the word “cloud” and voilà, now  you have “cloud services.”

Cloud Services allow an outsourced IT provider to aggregate computing resources and allow a client to access those computing resources with out the hassle and expense of building, maintaining and upgrading servers.    But there’s a real risk the needs to be understood before choosing to leverage a resold cloud.  What happens if there is an outage?  How much control does the local firm have over the cloud resources it is re-selling?  I wrote a whole blog about Cloud Computing Risks.  You can click here to read it.  I also wrote one about leveraging resold services.  You can click here to read it.

Finally, while  cloud services allow a business to shift the hassle of buying, building, supporting and upgrading servers to someone else.  It neglects other parts of the computer network.   PC’s, laptops, handhelds, tablets, routers, switches, printers, internet connections and firewalls all remain and all need to be supported.

What are Managed Services?

Managed Services  by comparison are about the people needed to run a computing environment.  Leveraging remote monitoring and remote support technology, an outsourced IT provider can aggregate  talent and intellectual property (think IT professionals, process, tools, analysis and strategy) and provide it as an always available service.  Clients can access the expertise with out the hassle and expense of hiring, training and managing a team / person of their own.

Managed Services are most commonly  characterized by phone based & remote control computer support,  but reactive support should only be one part of a more comprehensive suite of managed services that includes IT strategy and network operations.   For a detailed description of Endsight’s  managed services, click here.

How do Cloud Services and Managed Services relate to one another?

Cloud Services and Managed Services should be employed together to allow a firm to outsource All of the resources (people & computing) required to deliver information technology to its employees.   Regardless of the servers location (on-premise or cloud) the entire computing network must be supported and strategically managed. 

At Endsight, we merge what is being referred to as cloud services into a functional managed services container that we call "plumbing.”   We started calling the server and infrastructure portion of a computer network “plumbing” some time ago because it really helped to simplify the client/server concept.  I think now more than ever the thinking of the server and network infrastructure as plumbing is really a great way to make sense of all the  the options.

For some firms, cloud computing  is an excellent fit because of required features that are only available in the data center. Other firms aren’t as reliant on their computing infrastructure and don’t necessarily require all the redundancy and scalability that the cloud provides. Contrary to the prevailing wisdom, cloud computing or cloud services are not always the low cost approach to providing server infrastructure. But as I mentioned, at Endsight it doesn’t really matter where the servers reside. To us it’s all just plumbing.  Taking an agnostic approach to plumbing allows Endsight to source the best possible solution for each of its clients based on their specific needs.

If you’d like to talk more about the comparison between cloud services and managed services click here and let schedule some time to talk in person.

Endsight honored as a thought leader for managed service providers

We tend to stay away from the term managed services when we talk to clients about computer system support because we think it’s a confusing concept. 

Outsourced IT support and Managed Services are not the same thing.  There are still a lot of firms in the bay area that  provided traditional Outsourced IT services on an as needed, or hourly basis.  Managed services are an alternative  delivery and billing  approach that breaks from the pay by the hour model.   The distinction may seem subtle, but in practice it’s a night and day difference.  For more about the differences click here.   I also plan to post future blogs about this topic.

Endsight uses managed services to provide outsourced IT support for our clients.  In 2004, we were one of the first local firms to introduce the model.  Since then we’ve grown to almost 50 employees and nearly 5000 computer systems under daily management and support.   It’s success you can hang your hat on and we’re honored that our peers have noticed by inviting us to share what we know.

In June, Mike Chaput & Josh Carroll, two of Endsight’s founders, were featured in separate industry discussions about best practices for Managed Service Providers (MSP’s) .  Mike participated in a panel discussion at TruMethods’ Schnizzfest and Josh presented a case study with HP & Intel on Everything Channel.

You can read the details for each forum by clicking here:  Josh on Everything Channel and Mike at Schnizzfest.

The fact that our peers / competitors want to now what makes us successful is a real compliment.  We’ve worked hard to create a valuable service for our clients and will continue to innovate new ways to improve our clients experience with information technology!

About Everything Channel

Everything Channel is the premier provider of channel-focused research and consulting, events, media and custom solutions for the technology industry. Everything Channel provides integrated solutions to technology marketers for managing channel strategy to accelerate technology sales.

From building go-to-market strategies to partner recruitment and enablement to creating customer demand, Everything Channel offers the unmatched breadth and depth of global media and event brands, combined with the largest Solutions Provider database enabling an unparalleled audience loyalty and credibility built from over 30 years of experience and engagement.

About TruMethods

TruMethods is a consulting firm that helps IT solution providers achieve their full potential as managed service providers. TruMethods’ FormulaWon program transforms IT businesses by providing a proven, repeatable process that perfects leadership, solution packaging, sales processes, and results tracking through online tools, seminars, and the personal guidance of MSP sales authority Gary Pica, the company’s founder and CEO.

What can you do with dual monitors

I remember when I got my first dual monitor set up.  I’ve always been a mobile worker and so I was surprised when I found the 2nd monitor sitting in my cube.  Up to this point, the only people I’d seen with multiple monitors were the response center guys.  They’ve always had at least three monitors so that they can run a remote session on one screen and research and document issues on the others. 

I didn’t know what I’d use my 2nd monitor for.  But I got the hang of it.   Now a days,  I would be really limited without it.  I thought I’d detail how I use the extra real estate.

Microsoft Outlook is always available:

The email task and calendar views are key applications for me.  As I’m talking on the phone I’m constantly referring back to my calendar to schedule meetings and then checking my inbox to reference email.  With two screens I can eliminate the toggle between email and calendar.  I do this by right clicking the calendar tab and selecting open in a new window.  Outlook becomes much easier for me when I can spread it’s different views across two screens.

Research / Reference is a breeze:

I often use multiple resources to research a company or topic.  Again, the extra space gives me the ability to read  Webpage content on one screen, open a link to a reference page in a new window on the second screen, read that content and quickly switch my attention back to the previous page and continue reading.  It’s a huge de-hassle and time saver. 

I never need to find my soft / phone

I’ve blogged about my VIOP phone system before.  As I wrote in that posting, One of it’s most useful features is its softphone.   A softphone allows me to take calls on a wireless headset that’s connected to my computer.  I can be anywhere and take calls just like I was in the office.  Dual monitors allow me to have always-on access to the smart phone console. 

Editing documents is easier:

John Grover, Endsight’s VP of Client Strategy,  found a neat  trick that helps him to create Microsoft Word documents.  He inverted his 2nd monitor and configured the view so that he can see more vertical space on the document.  This saves him the time of scrolling down a page.

How to set up dual monitors:

I’ve included a link to an article I came across on how to set up dual monitors.  You can check it out by clicking here.

Dual monitors are just one example of the many ways hardware / software configurations can de-hassle the work day.  At Endsight, we’re constantly looking for things like this.  When we find a useful tip, we try to make sure we share it with our Outsourced IT clients.

4 Things to Consider Before Your Next Hire

Finding the right employee for your team can be challenging. With thousands to choose from, the task can be overwhelming. Choose wrong, and your new employee won’t be the right fit for your company. Hiring an employee who doesn’t complement your team can result in lost time and productivity, turnover, headaches, and more.

When hiring, employers often fall into the habit of finding employees with similar strengths and backgrounds instead of balancing their team with a variety of different skill sets and experience levels. Keep these things in mind for your next hire.

Team Needs

The first step to finding the right employee is to examine the needs of your team. Don’t just look at the qualifications and job descriptions you have on paper. With the size of the current job applicant pool, it’s a great time to hire employees whose skills and strengths surpass basic qualifications to bolster team achievements.

Consider your team’s strengths and weaknesses in areas like experience and personality. If your team is made up of creative thinkers who get lost in ideas, consider hiring a more decisive, analytical thinker to add balance, give input, and keep everyone on track. Once you’ve established your ideal applicant, evaluate and interview potential candidates who meet the team’s needs with their experience, personality, and strengths.

Experience

If you have a habit of hiring inexperienced employees whose development you can shape, don’t dismiss an experienced applicant. Adding experience to the team can generate efficiency and productivity, provide the necessary insight others lack, and help streamline processes.

If your team is made up of experienced employees, consider an inexperienced candidate who can bring fresh ideas to the table. Workers who need experience can add passion and flexibility to the team. Eager to prove themselves, these individuals will work hard to achieve new goals. Whether you hire an individual who is looking for or offering knowledge, having different levels of experience on your team will help diversify your company.

Personality

Personality can play a big role in the dynamics of a team and the wrong personality can affect how a team operates. Find employees who’ll work well with others, especially when staff members work in close quarters, like a cubicle. If your employees can be somewhat high strung, consider hiring someone who’ll help mellow the team’s dynamics. Not sure what your team wants? Consider opening a portion of your interview up to team members to get their feedback.

Strengths

The success of your team depends upon each person’s strengths and abilities. So, hire employees who add to the current strengths. Combining the right employees can create an unstoppable team and benefit each member’s unique abilities and skills.

Taking the time to hire the right fit will help your team achieve its highest potential.

This article is courtesy of Express Employment Professionals of Marin an SBA Certified and Woman Owned Business - Tracy Dempsey, owner. For your organizational and staffing needs, contact us at 1-415-472-5400.