Staffing a startup: the best first (and future) hires

For an entrepreneur or startup owner, making their first hire is an important decision that can shape the trajectory of the business. It’s a choice that requires careful consideration, because it can significantly impact the company’s long-term success. Further, as the business grows, sometimes a pivotal hire can make all the difference in freeing up the owner’s time and focus for the foundational tasks they do best.

Whether a startup owner thinks in terms of a specific job title or a specialized skill set, pinpointing the person their fledgling business truly needs first (and now) is essential. Entrepreneurs from Business Journals Leadership Trust discuss the roles they believe it’s important to fill first or early on in a startup, as well as the initial staff members they brought on — and whether, with hindsight, they’d do anything differently. Here are insights from Mark D’Agostino.

3. A salesperson with industry experience

My first hire was a salesperson with industry experience. I did this to drive sales early and more easily. But if I had a chance to do it again, I would hire fractionally for all leadership positions — finance, HR, sales management, and operations.

Mark D’Agostino, ConnectedHR

Read the full list of  Tips from the Business Journal Trust here.