It could be that your company is growing too fast for one person to handle. Or, perhaps you need more time to focus on the big-picture issues and you can’t be there to oversee day-to-day matters. Whatever the case may be, you’ve come to the realization: it’s time to hire someone to manage your business.

It’s not always an easy process, but choosing the right candidate is an important decision that can make or break your company. Feeling nervous? Don’t worry—these tips and tricks will help you make the right choice!

Hiring Someone to Manage Your Business

It All Starts with You

Once you’ve decided it’s time to hire a manager, start by looking at yourself. What does your company need from someone in your position? Every business has its own culture, and each requires different things from the person in charge.

Do you need someone with good communication skills, or would you benefit more from someone who excels at organization or something else? In a perfect world you’d get the whole package, but some skills will be more essential than others.

Tip:
Write a list of the characteristics that are most important for your manager-to-be. It may not be a clone of yourself, and you may be forced to identify your weaknesses in addition to strengths, but committing your replacement to paper will give you a profile you can work toward.

Hire Tomorrow’s Replacement, Not Today’s

Now that you’ve identified your potential replacement’s profile, it’s time to think about the future of your business and industry. Does company growth necessitate someone with experience scaling up? Or someone with multi-unit management? Regardless of whom you hire, this person is going to preside over the next phase of growth and development. They’ll need to be prepared.

Tip:
Leverage your colleagues for leads on potential candidates who can move your business forward. They know you and your industry well and can provide useful insights or play devil’s advocate. Ask candidates for references and check them out thoroughly—the more you dig, the more you’ll learn. Don’t rule out social media sites, like LinkedIn and even Facebook. They can provide context that can help you decide.

Choose Wisely and Validate

Deciding on a candidate is ultimately your decision, so be sure you take both your research and instinct into account. While hiring a replacement always takes a small leap of faith, it’s an easier one to make if you’ve followed the tips provided. You can also make sure you made the right decision by staying in touch with employees, customers, and—of course—your replacement.

Tip:
Everyone reacts differently when they hand over the reigns of their business. Some feel liberated, while others feel a continuing need to hang on. If you’re having difficulty letting go, regular meetings with your replacement are a great way to stay in touch while providing room to grow.

So, Who’s the Boss?

Admitting that you can’t be the boss forever may be bittersweet, but bringing in someone new to manage your business can open up all kinds of opportunities for your company to grow and succeed. Use these tips, tricks and hints to guide you through the process and find the perfect person to fill your shoes.