Although startups and tech companies are widely known to be job creators, they can also be volatile due to the competitive industry in which they exist. Despite their innovative and often game-changing approach, startups function in a high-risk environment with the chance of being squeezed out at any moment. However, with that risk comes endless potential, which makes hiring qualified employees to bring these ideas to life, a top priority.
I have been fortunate enough with ClickAgents, BlueLithium, and now RadiumOne to find brilliant individuals to work alongside me. My key to success is not always hiring employees the conventional way. When identifying for candidates, I typically look for three qualities – ambition, discipline, and purpose – which are sometimes the hardest traits to find. If an employee has those three things, there’s a good chance they’ll be a key asset to your company. Ambitious people are constantly fueled to succeed, disciplined people are willing to go to hell and back without backing down, and individuals with a sense of purpose are motivated to make a difference.
When building a team from the ground up, it’s also important to preserve the company culture, whatever that might be. Since entrepreneurs are natural born problem solvers, entrepreneurism should be deeply rooted in every aspect of the company. Additionally, everyone should be allowed to have a voice, so they know that their opinions matter. Innovation does not have a stopwatch, and therefore, communication should become the lifeblood of your company, to continuously foster new ideas. Many employees feel nervous about voicing their opinions because they think it might be criticized for not being a relevant idea, but as long you’re around A list people, no idea will be irrelevant. Steve Jobs made a great point: “A-list people want to work with other A-list people. Never surround yourself with deadweight.”
Once you hire the right team, and they are aligned on the same objective, innovation will follow. Stagnation will be your worst enemy. You'll execute on your vision and grow exponentially. And, more importantly, you'll create a culture that fosters speed, evolution, and success. Fear and failure will never be part of the vocabulary.
