As a business leader, you know some of your resources are finite. You have limited time and money to hire top talent, grow your company, and ensure its success.
Yet there are other limits, too, ones that only exist because you accept them. Frequently, it’s these limits — much more than time or money — that can hold you back from true growth. In this article, we’ll discuss three common limitations businesses too often accept and how you can break free of them.
1. Confining Yourself to the Local Talent Pool
Going fishing for talent in familiar local waters may seem like a safe way to find new hires. But it might be choking off your company’s growth potential. Instead, expand your search. Remote work has exploded post-pandemic. There are more ways than ever to draw talent from a larger pool. These methods include working with a specialized recruiting firm or using online job boards that attract global workers.
There will be challenges stemming from your decision tohire international employees.These range from the need to comply with local labor laws to the cost of the necessary enabling technologies. There’s also the likelihood of having to navigate cultural differences and even language barriers.
But the advantages outweigh the challenges. International employees can bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to your business. They can provide unique perspectives and even open up new markets and customer bases. International employees are often more adaptable and creative due to their diverse backgrounds. You might find new ideas and solutions to challenges you didn’t even know you could solve.
Finally, 83% of Gen Z job candidates said a company’s dedication to diversity and inclusion is key in choosing an employer. By hiring international candidates and increasing diversity, you’ll boost your company’s visibility and reputation. You’ll also make yourself an attractive destination for young workers.
2. Relying Solely on Traditional Recruiting Strategies
Job postings, newspaper ads, and word of mouth can help build a local candidate pool. But they may not be the most effective ways to find the best talent. Nowadays, there’s fierce competition for top candidates, so you can’t afford to sit back and let competitors snag them.
Supplement traditional recruiting strategies with modern methods to lure high-quality applicants. These include social media marketing and networking events. Social media is invaluable for narrowing in on passive candidates who might not know they’re looking for work. More than 45% of millennial and Gen Z workers say social media platforms are “very important” to their job search.
While job fairs are as old as the hills, virtual networking events expand your candidate pool beyond the traditional avenues. Attend online job fairs and career expos and try hosting virtual networking happy hours and industry meet-ups. These can enable you to make meaningful connections with potential future team members wherever they might reside.
Finally, former employees can be untapped resources for zeroing in on talent. It’s worth reaching out to them whether they’re interested in returning to your company or not. Message them on LinkedIn to ask whether they know anyone who might fit the role you’re looking for. Any candidate who has the respect of a valued former employee is likely to be a good fit for your company.
3. Refusing to Implement New Technology
You know that technology is a powerful tool, but your business may still refuse to use it to its full potential. Maybe you don’t yet understand all the potential benefits of particular platforms. Maybe you have an outsized fear of the unknown or simply think new software and training aren’t in your budget. However, technology can streamline processes, increase productivity, and create new opportunities for growth, more than repaying its upfront costs.
For example, customer relationship management software can help you get a better handle on your customer’s journey, automating outreach and facilitating upsells. Analytics software can enable you to uncover key customer insights and trends. And an applicant tracking system (ATS) can help you organize and manage the recruitment process from beginning to end.
Automating mundane tasks frees up your time so you can accomplish more in a day. It also eliminates human error and lets your employees focus on more meaningful work. You can automate data entry, document processing, and survey responses. You can install chatbot technologies for simple customer service queries or use automated scheduling services like Calendly.
Not to mention, if you do have team members working remotely — internationally or stateside — communication has to be effective across the board. Without it, confusion can set in quickly. Look into workflow management tools like Asana or Trello. Try out videoconferencing solutions like Zoom to encourage face-to-face interaction, and use Slack or another instant messaging platform for quick chats. These tools can help your team members stay organized and productive, whether they’re across town or across the world.
Free Your Mind, and the Rest Will Follow
Want to break free from self-imposed limits? First, recognize that these constraints — as much as any tangible resource — can stifle your growth as a company. So say goodbye to these three limitations and unlock a world of possibilities.