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#5. Today, I'm learning from Bob Bell, CEO of boutique technology services firm ITK Consulting in Canada. Bob is an expert in business administration and has a track record of leading business in several different industries before cofounding ITK in 2016.
Bob shares how his superpower lies in his attention to administrative details—a skill that allows his team to focus on essential tasks like sales and delivery. We explore how Bob prioritizes tasks, his strategies for keeping overhead costs lean, and his philosophy on balancing employee and subcontractor roles.
Bob also discusses the critical decision of when to bring expertise in-house and how his firm approaches talent acquisition and HR functions, aiming to build a robust, dynamic team. This episode is packed with valuable insights for leaders navigating the complexities of small-to-midsize business growth and looking to foster a culture of efficiency and collaboration.
KEY LESSONS
- Hiring a talent manager. We’ve just hired three new principal consultants and engaged a recruiter to help us find 6 or 7 more team members over the next three months. Pretty soon I think we can justify a part-time talent manager to help us establish better recruitment, onboarding and talent management processes and ensure we follow them, and then help us with our next rounds of recruitment when we need to expand. I love your advice in this area. Thanks for that, Bob.
- Balancing contractors and employees. I share a lot of your views on the value of bringing in contractors with specific skills and investing in the careers of employees in their training and bonuses over and above the benefits provided to contractors. Superware needs to continue to find ways to make our business a great place for employees to build a long-term career, while at the same time engaging contractors when we need to and recognising the differences between them and the differences in how they like to be compensated and engaged.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 People are the product in a consulting business
00:18 Introduction to Bob Bell
02:21 Bob Bell's fondness for administrative tasks
04:32 Prioritizing tasks and client-first philosophy
06:08 Knowing when to bring in an expert
08:05 Deciding company size and in-house roles
10:12 Importance of talent acquisition and HR functions
13:36 Challenges in finding the right HR talent
15:29 The role of subcontractors and employee balance
19:13 Overcoming perceptions of being a small firm
21:06 Conscious choice of subcontractors and employees balance
26:34 The value of an internship program
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