Hiring today: think “Swiss Army knife”

Imagine having a single item in your possession that includes 33 useful tools right there in your pocket. Tools to manage many of the everyday jobs you encounter. You might say the value of this one single tool outshines much of your tool box. Well, there is a tool like the one described above: the Swiss Army knife. This amazing product was first produced in 1891. Designed and contracted through the Swiss military, this knife has gone through many changes over the 100+ years it has been in use. It is an amazing product, with a worldwide reputation for quality and functionality. 

As I was researching the Swiss Army knife, I thought about the kind of team members a golf club should have in this new world of work. The idea of having people on the team that can move around with ease, providing a high level of service with quality results, no matter the department, can be an extraordinary win for the property and for leadership. In this very complex time, where many employees have one set of desires for their work life while their employers have a set of needs that just may not align, many a workday can become a challenge.

There are many people in the workforce, each with their own unique needs and wants. As you look at your property, the complexity, and the variety of roles, wouldn’t it be great to have two or three people on your team that can act with the same flexibility and quality as that Swiss Army knife? People that, without angst or stress, pitch in and do meaningful work in several areas of the business? The more we read about the modern world of work, the more we see flexibility as a critical asset of value. Creating a mini team positioned to adjust in the moment will take great stress away from you while providing confidence and direction to all when things go sideways. In this In My Opinion post, here are three thoughts on flexible talent:

It takes time: Finding and training a few people who are able and willing to adjust in the moment is a big wish. It is, however, a smart idea in this ever more complex world of work. Although these employees do not need to be superstars in every discipline, they will need enough knowledge to jump into any department and become an asset in the moment. It will take patience, training, and flexibility on your part to find, develop, and especially retain these special men and women.

Allow them to grow: Although finding and developing these people will create amazing value, it is essential never to hold them back. Although they may become indispensable as your Swiss Army team, they will want to grow in title, pay and experience. It is therefore important to always be on the lookout for people who are both willing and able to jump across department lines and support the club whenever the need arises. Serve these people well as they do extraordinary things for you and the membership.

Flexibility is essential for both sides: When you find these extraordinary people, no doubt you will lean on them. Things can go awry on many days. A large event is about to commence, and people call out sick. As your special people come to the rescue, it is important to remember the sacrifice and the effort. With flexibility being a key asset for these folks, it is something they will look for from you. When it is their turn for time away for a vacation or any special event, “yes” must be the response. Taking good care of body and soul is important in building this concept and keeping the people happy. Spend time to lay out a calendar that can hopefully work without too much adjustment. The more runway you provide, the better response you can receive and offer your entire team. 

This “Swiss Army Team” is an extraordinary attempt to build a very special kind of service for your golfers. When people call out, when incidents happen, you should always have a plan B and C somewhere in your pocket. When these alternative options are in place, the day will go better, service can excel, and the entire team gets a confident boost in order to perform their role without having to stray away from their specific discipline. After all, most people just want to do their job and go home. Think about having people on your staff who are able and willing to serve wherever the need is great, on any particular day.

Jack Dillon writes the In My Opinion post. Jack is a consultant, able to help you build a better team, improve quality of service, greater communications, and a great golf shop. Jack is an expert in service and operations. Contact Jack to discuss or even set up a FREE Zoom call. Contact Jack at 407-973-6136 or at jackd@careerdividends.com. Jack lives in Orlando.