How to Hire A-Players: Finding the Top People for ... - GIT home page

acing skills. While many races are expensive to enter and require
getting up early on a weekend morning, this race is affordable and
conducted after working hours, when many riders are available.
The evening not only becomes a great chance to practice racing
skills, but an opportunity for local cyclists to ride with their friends
and meet other members of the cycling community. Cyclists love it;
and they love Big Shark for putting it on.
Other bike shops have tried and failed to duplicate Big Shark’s
success. What makes Big Shark different is that it really is committed
to making a contribution to others. The events that the company
sponsors go beyond competition. They bring people with
common interests together and give them a reason to hang out. As
a result, the company has developed a strong bond with members of
the cycling community.
This bond shows up in Big Shark’s recruiting results. Big Shark’s
A-Player Profile emphasizes that employees should be knowledgeable
about cycling and motivated to use this knowledge to serve
customers and the community. Because people in the cycling community
know Big Shark, they refer service-oriented job candidates
to the company. The service-oriented expertise of Big Shark’s salespeople
then earns the trust of customers—and this trust translates
into great customer loyalty and strong sales. For Big Shark, this service-oriented
formula has built a successful business.
Keep It On
Three Steps to Creating an A-Player Team 55
A-Player Principle: Attract A-players by building an
authentic brand. Let people experience the passion behind
your business. This will build your reputation and attract
employees who share your values.
These strategies for finding A-players and building an A-player
team are proven. They work. Apply them to your company and stick
with them.