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The best use of the best people

If a business chooses to dominate its markets it must also choose to make
the best use of the best people. This means that you must plan to attract,
retain and make the best possible use of the best people available. Thirty
years ago Frederick Herzberg said that we need to differentiate between
how we treat people and how we use them and, surprisingly it is how we
use their skills and initiative that motivates them.

This section is therefore devoted to the following key factors:

n How do you recognize the best people?
n How do you attract them into your business?
n How do you select them?
n How do you use their capabilities?
n How do you retain them?

The best use of the best people begins with you

It may sound like an impertinent question to ask so early in an acquain-
tance, but are you in the right job? Please note I am not asking whether
you are the right person for the job. What is important is does the job that
you are doing make the best use of your skills, knowledge and capabilities.
You are probably one of the “best people” in the right position. So I ask
again is the job right for you?

n Do you go to bed happy at the thought of the next day’s challenges
and sheer hard work?

n Or are you anxious in the evening as you consider the prospect of
work next day?

n Do you “talk shop” with colleagues because it is exciting stuff?
n Or do you talk obsessively with your partner about the trials and

tribulations of working life?
n Worse perhaps, are you unnaturally reticent, responding

aggressively to innocent enquiries from your nearest and dearest?

n Can you pace your activities sensibly?
n Or do you work late frequently and skip lunch because you have

been given or have assumed too much work?

n Are you readily approachable by your team and peers?
n Or do you treat people with ill-temper or with off-hand

indifference?

n Are you clear where your job is taking you and do you want to go
there?

n Or are you drifting and hoping that something will turn up?

26 Key management questions