You can’t build a great company by tolerating mediocrity

The market is picking up and most companies seem to have recruiting plans for the next 12 months, however, although many Managers and IT Professionals are still nervous to move, preferring the safety and security of their current employer, regardless if they are 100% happy or 100% effective in their role.

And, is there anything wrong if they haven’t done anything really wrong – but, have they thought about things they have done that are really right? Are companies infected with people who don’t drive excellence? Do they want their IT team to become better or somehow different to cope with the upturn or future growth plans? Do they aspire to change and improve? Questions need to be asked if those that they currently have in place are capable of helping attain and sustain a higher level of performance.

This has left many companies with staff; permanent and contractors who were adequate to see them through the quieter times, but now, when companies are looking to grow, are those barely sufficient employees really up to the job?

There is also the very real possibility that Directors are now expecting staff to perform more than one role within the business due to an increase in activity or headcount and they may be struggling to keep all the balls in the air and be effective. Are things slipping through the net? Do they need an additional member of the team to be able to allow focus on those vital areas?

So, what’s the difference and how can we all spot an ineffective employee? There may be a person that is perfectly capable in the current scenario, but are they capable of doing their part to lift performance? Great teams are engaged and can produce optimum results.

If your current staff are pushing boundaries, raising the bar, obsessed with improving results and performance and creating an atmosphere where people can perform their best – then we must all congratulate them. Making sure companies do what they can to keep these employees happy and engaged will ensure that they continue to perform at such a high level.

However, if this is not the case, it may be time for a change? Wanting to avoid rocking the boat by not dealing with ineffective employees will only give the company the same results they are currently getting and this may damage the team. However, we have all seen mediocre employees become fantastic with a little mentoring, training and motivation. Getting this right will mean that they will not only perform well, but will also be able to coach and mentor the next group of new recruits. If they can’t hack it, then it’s time to do something radical.

Directors have a duty to find and keep great employees. Not only to take the company forwards, it will also help attract high calibre candidates who want to be part of the organisation and this in turn will make people within the company up their game – it’s a win, win!

Here at Langley James, we pride ourselves on finding the best candidates in the market and this is something we have been doing for the last 15 years. Why not talk to one of our specialist IT consultants to see how we can help you find that superstar. And remember, Recruit someone worth Recruiting.