Doing Business by the Good Book Ch 23

Choosing the Right People

• Companies prioritize finding the right people, not just any people. High intelligence and training are important, but attitude and character are paramount.
• Look for integrity, loyalty, and trust in potential hires. Seek individuals who are giving and want to make a positive impact.
• A good tree bears good fruit, a bad tree bears bad fruit (Luke 6:43-45). Character is evident through actions and speech (Proverbs 15:26). Listen carefully to individuals to gauge their true qualities.

Evaluating Candidates

• Assess adaptability to the company culture. Mismatch leads to employee departure or poor teamwork, negatively affecting morale and requiring more time for recruitment.
• Employ detailed screening processes. This includes thorough background checks, evaluating recommendations, scrutinizing past performance, and observing non-verbal cues (eye contact, facial expressions, body language, tone of voice), and listening carefully.
• Look for candidates who share the company's values. A restaurant owner example shows this by inquiring about candidate availability during peak times, gauging their willingness to work.
• Check employment records and references. Good recommendations and past achievements indicate strong character and team player potential, especially when examined in different contexts (e.g., outstanding athlete). Personal reputation also gives clues.
• Prescreening by headhunters can filter out poor candidates, protecting long-term company interests.

Company Culture and Values

• A strong spiritual atmosphere, based on Christian principles, exists at World Wide Technology. Although not mandatory, spiritual values may positively influence.
• A diverse workforce strengthens a company. This encompasses diverse cultures and perspectives, echoing the metaphor of a quilt.
• Strong leadership empowers good employees, enabling them to take initiative. Weak managers might hold back promising employees due to insecurities or fear of being outshined. Empowering employees results in increased confidence and trust.
• A good leader fosters an environment that values promotion and advancement, which shows the leader's willingness to support teams and colleagues. This principle matches the biblical principle of not withholding good from those deserving.