Hiring Plan to Build Winning Teams: A Proven Strategy for Small Business Growth
If you're a small business owner who's ready to stop winging it when it comes to hiring, you're in the right place.
Building a team shouldn’t feel like guesswork. It should be a clear, repeatable process that helps you grow without chaos.
This post walks you through the exact hiring plan I use with my clients to help them scale their business confidently.
Whether you're making your first hire or trying to fix past hiring mistakes, this simple but strategic approach can change everything.
Why Your Hiring Strategy Matters More Than You Think
Most entrepreneurs wait too long to hire, or they make rushed decisions when things get overwhelming.
But hiring isn't just about filling a seat. It's about building a foundation for sustainable growth.
Hiring the right person in the right role can:
Free up your time for CEO-level tasks
Help you hit revenue goals faster
Improve client experience and retention
Reduce burnout and business stagnation
And yet, so many founders struggle because they:
Hire based on personality instead of skill
Skip onboarding and hope for the best
Confuse “help” with actual “fit”
Sound familiar? If so, this hiring plan is for YOU.
STEP 1: Identify the Right Position for Right Now
Before you post a job, ask yourself:
What does the business need most?
Do I need help generating revenue?
Do I need more efficiency behind the scenes?
Choose a position that directly supports your current business goals.
If you're trying to scale, make sure the role either drives income or buys back your time so you can focus on growth.
✅ Hiring tip: Don’t post a generalist “assistant” role just because you’re overwhelmed. Be strategic.
STEP 2: Pick the Right Structure Employee vs Contractor
This part trips up a lot of founders. And it’s not just about preference; it’s about compliance.
The IRS has strict guidelines about what qualifies as an employee versus a 1099 contractor. You can’t just pick based on what’s cheaper or easier.
If you’re unsure, take my 6-question hiring quiz. It’s fast, free, and shows you the best option for your situation.
👉 https://quiz.hiringkits.com/
STEP 3:Write a Job Description That Actually Works
Please don’t copy something from Google.
Your job description should do more than list tasks. It should:
Reflect the actual duties and outcomes needed
Guide your interview questions
Set clear performance expectations
Think of your job description as a roadmap for success, not just a hiring formality.
📎 Pro tip: Include must-have traits and values that align with your company culture. Then make sure you're asking questions that assess those during interviews.
STEP 4: Define Success Before You Hire
One of the biggest hiring mistakes I see is bringing someone on without knowing what success looks like.
Before you make an offer, answer these:
What does a “win” look like in this role after 30 days? 90 days?
How will I measure progress and results?
What attributes will set someone up for success in this environment?
That clarity will help you train, evaluate, and keep the right people long-term.
STEP 5: Share the Role Effectively
Don’t just toss your job post on Indeed and hope for the best. Think about where your ideal candidate hangs out.
You can post to multiple job boards using tools like JazzHR, which I highly recommend. It saves time, improves reach, and offers smart hiring tools, especially if you're doing this solo.
🌟 Try JazzHR free and get special pricing HERE
STEP 6: Use a Repeatable Interview Process
Your interview is not a vibe check. Stop hiring based on a feeling and start hiring with a system.
Here’s how to do it:
Ask every candidate the same core questions
Score their answers based on a rubric tied to the job
Look for alignment in skills, attitude, and values
The more consistent your process, the better your hires will be, and the less bias will sneak in.
STEP 7: Make the Offer and Onboard Like a Pro
The hiring process doesn’t end with the offer letter. You’ve got to welcome your new hire in a way that sets them up to succeed.
Review the job description again
Outline training expectations
Share communication and decision-making norms
Provide any tools or resources they need from Day 1
Good onboarding leads to better retention. Period.
What Happens When You Hire Right?
When you follow a simple, strategic hiring plan, your business benefits fast. You’ll notice:
Smoother workflows
Happier clients
More confident decision-making
Real time off (yes, even vacations)
Hiring the right person at the right time can unlock growth you didn’t even know was possible.
Common Hiring Mistakes That Cost You
Let’s wrap this up by reviewing the most common hiring mistakes I see (and help my clients avoid):
Hiring without double-checking what your business really needs
Misclassifying contractors when they should be employees
Choosing personality over performance
Skipping onboarding altogether
Confusing temporary help with strategic hires
Avoiding these can save you thousands of dollars and months of frustration.
If you want to make sure you never fall into these traps, sign up for my FREE Founder’s Flawless First Hire Blueprint.
In just 5 days, I’ll walk you through each mistake, show you exactly how to avoid it, and help you start hiring with confidence from day one.
Want the Full Hiring Kit?
I built a Hiring Success Kit that walks you through every step above, and then some.
It includes:
✅ Job post templates, interview scripts, offer letters
✅ Video trainings that explain each stage
✅ A guide for both W-2 and 1099 hires
✅ A hiring plan that actually works for small business founders
It’s yours for under $40.
Grab it here: https://hiringkits.com/
Final Thoughts...
Hiring Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
Hiring is one of the most important things you’ll ever do as a business owner. And yet, so many founders avoid it, rush through it, or dread it.
You don’t need to wing it. You need a system.
I’ve helped over 2,000 entrepreneurs do it the right way. And I’d love to help you too.
And when you purchase the Hiring Success Kit (it’s under $40), you’ll get a special, limited-time offer for even more tools — plus a 1:1 call with me — for 75% off!
The offer to work with me 1:1 is only available through the kits, so if you want some direction from an expert - this is your chance!
