A team of 10s

How can I find good staff members?

"I spent years in veterinary practice thinking that if I wanted things done right, I had to do them myself," says Dr. Joel Parker, president of Professional Business Solutions in Vancouver, British Columbia. "And you know what happened? I worked until 8 p.m. handling all the problems while my staff members went home. Here's what I learned: Good staff members are rarely found—you build them." Dr. Parker says you must find quality team members with a high level of motivation and then train them. "What they've accomplished in the past and what they're currently doing will give you great insight into what they'll do for you in the future."

He recommends interviewing a large pool of applicants and asking each one: In your last job, what did you accomplish that was above and beyond what was expected of you? And who can verify this? "Then watch the sparks fly," he says. "A solid prospect will be quick to answer. And you'll be surprised at what your unmotivated candidates will say. Make this your starting point instead of a list of qualifications."

Dr. Joel Parker