subject: Hiring With A Focus On The Future [print this page] The 2012 IBM CEO Study released this week reveals a number of important trends that illustrate the state of business around the world. One of the most significant findings of this year's study was that CEOs ranked technology as the most influential factor (above even the economy) that impacts an organization.
This ranking highlights the fact that, for today's business owners, there is no "new normal." Instead, the world of technology is changing at lightning speed--and in order for you and your company to thrive, your team must be able to adapt to and run with the latest developments.
Here are some suggestions for "future-proofing" your team:
Look for key traits, not key skills. Technology changes so fast these days that it's impossible to hire someone who has all the skills she'll need in five years--many of those skills may not even exist yet! During the hiring process, look for candidates who have mastered the key traits that allow them to adapt to an ever-changing environment: communication, collaboration, and creativity, according to the IBM report.
Focus on communicating company values. As your business evolves and grows with changing technology, your team will be expected to take on new responsibilities. To ensure that your new hires are able to spread your mission no matter what task they're completing, be sure to communicate your values--immediately and frequently. Reinforce what's important to you and your business when you lead by example. When you do so, you'll have a better chance of seeing strong results from your team.
Don't underestimate the power of evolving technology. One CEO surveyed for the IBM study noted that business leaders who aren't willing to adopt new technologies and adapt their businesses will soon find themselves irrelevant in the marketplace. It's normal to feel intimidated by new technologies at first, but overcome that initial response by diving in, exploring, and even hiring a team member dedicated to staying abreast of the latest trends.
Whether you're interviewing potential candidates today or just starting to visualize how your team will grow in the future, be sure to play the long game during the process of bringing on new team members.
