By Christopher Knight

To hire the best, you must be the best. What can you do today, to take another step closer to being the best? When possible, do a quick seven minute telephone interviews, and have some key qualifying questions ready, so that when you are in a real 'face to face' interview, you're already 50% closer to hiring a real candidate.

Don't assume that you know what is important to your interviewee, because until you ask them what is important, you don't know. Always Be Recruiting!

When you spot excellent service or an ideal employee to be, don't forget that they might be flattered that you're interested in hiring them.

Make sure your benefits program delivers the highest perceived value, to your candidates and existing employees. Perceived value is more important than real value.

Hire slow, fire quick....better yet, hire someone better than you.

Sometimes low cost perks, can save you big raises or high starting pay.