105: Mastering the Art of Hiring for Your Business with Michelle Meehan and Emma Mills

This episode is packed with multi-million dollar advice for entrepreneurs and business owners aiming to build a supportive and effective team.

I am joined by experts Emma Mills, founder of MiPA, and Michelle Meehan, VP of Marketing at Plum, to discuss the essential elements of hiring the right team members for your business. In this episode, you will learn how to recognize when to hire, the strategies involved in creating a seamless hiring process, and valuable tips, including utilizing assessment tools to ensure candidates are a good match!

Key Takeaways:

00:24 Meet the Experts: Emma Mills and Michelle Meehan

02:09 Diving into Hiring Practices

02:50 The Importance of CEO Involvement

04:09 Philosophies on Hiring and Culture Fit

07:48 Mindset and Strategies for Effective Hiring

11:39 The Role of Assessments in Hiring

20:07 Energy Management and Team Optimization

23:03 Balancing Authenticity and Business Progress

23:08 The Importance of Follow-Through in Teams

24:04 Hiring the Right People for Your Team

24:17 Recognizing When It’s Time to Hire

25:16 Challenges Faced by Solopreneurs

25:45 The Role of Executive Assistants

26:31 Overcoming Hiring Hesitations

28:58 Preparing for the Hiring Process

29:30 Defining Success for New Hires

31:49 The Interview Process

33:28 Leveraging Time in Hiring

34:25 Effective Hiring Strategies

Who are Michelle and Emma:?

Emma Mills, Founder of MiPA. An award-winning business owner, Emma has built one of the most successful Virtual PA and Call Answering companies in the UK and now supports some of the country’s leading business owners, directors and entrepreneurs in the UK, Europe and soon to be the US.

Emma founded MiPA in 2008 after several years as an executive PA herself; she loved giving people the gift of time, and wanted to do more of it. Emma hosts Mi TV the weekly video series which helps business owners to focus on the fun stuff and run a business they love.

Michelle Meehan, Vice President of Marketing at Plum, the revolutionary talent assessment provider, is an award-winning creative professional focused on bringing significant branding and growth strategy expertise to her role. Before this, Michelle served as Plum’s fractional Head of Marketing and operated The Silver Thread, a brand consultancy.

Leveraging her top skills, revealed by her Plum Profile, Michelle brings a wealth of Communication, Innovation and Management skills to her position. Since joining the company, Michelle has achieved significant momentum by leveraging out-of-the-box strategies to differentiate Plum from competitors and educate attendees on Plum’s value at industry-leading events.

Mic Drop Moments:

“Think of hiring as an investment, not an expense. It’s about bringing people on for the long term and thinking strategically about their role in your business.”

“When hiring, consider how the new team member will either generate revenue or save you time. Both are critical factors in deciding to bring someone on board.”

“Avoid hiring assistants who rely on you for every step. Instead, bring in self-starters who can take initiative and drive results without constant guidance.”

“It’s important not just to hire for cultural fit, but for cultural add. This brings in diverse perspectives that can enhance your business strategy.”

“Decision fatigue is real. Having someone to help with tasks and decisions can free up your mental energy for more important strategic thinking.”

“Assessments like Plum help match people to roles based on their strengths, ensuring they can bring their authentic selves to work and contribute effectively.”

“Time, energy, and confidence management are crucial. It’s not just about managing time, but also about maintaining your energy and confidence to perform at your best.”

“Most solopreneurs wait too long to hire help, thinking they can manage everything themselves. Recognizing the need for assistance early can prevent burnout and improve business operations.”

“Before publishing a job post, understand what success looks like for the role. Clearly define the key deliverables and outcomes you expect from the new hire.”

“Hiring should be about building a team that complements your skills and helps you stay in your zone of genius, ultimately driving the business forward.”