i3 - July/August 2017 - 48

Business
By Jake Sigal
A DV I C E FO R E N T R E P R E N E U RS

Four Questions to Ask Employees
3.

Do you have all the tools
to do your job?
My first internship required me to build
my own computer out of random components. I'll never forget how disgusting that
used keyboard looked. Large businesses
have IT departments
and insane corporate
It usually takes two
rules for purchasing.
or three sessions
As small businesses,
with a new employee
we have the opportunity
before he or she
to provide the best
really opens up, but
be patient.
tools and the perfect
environment for individuals. We ask new employees what specific
keyboard and mouse they prefer, along
with their choice of laptop bag and headphones. We also get a new Mac for every
employee, including interns. This speaks
to how I want new people to feel on
their first day on the job.

4. What do you want to be

1. Do you know what you're doing?

I was blown away by how many people
didn't understand what they were
supposed to be doing and what our product is. It's easy to get caught up in the
details of a task without realizing how the
job actually contributes to the product.
The answers are more informational for me.
I like to hear what people are working on.

2. Do you know why you're doing it?

This is a much deeper question.
Typically, engineers know why the technical details are needed. However, there

JULY/AUGUST 2017

are often gaps in understanding why
we're developing the product and what
problem we are looking to solve. With sales,
marketing and business development folks,
the discussion is more customer-focused.
Being innovative enables you to sell both
what your customer tells you they want,
and what they don't know they want yet.
Engineers do a great job of being strategic,
while salespeople are more opportunistic.
Working "on" your company strategy is
only as effective as your team's ability to
execute. Knowing why we're executing daily
is the most important and hardest question.

The Bottom Line

Ask questions and keep it open. It usually
takes two or three sessions with a new
employee before he or she really opens
up, but be patient. It's absolutely worth
it and it's one of the most enjoyable
parts of my job!
I T I S I N N O VAT I O N

spyder skidoo/iStock

s a small business owner, it's easy to get caught up "in"
the business, when you should be working "on" your
business to succeed. Backed by venture capital at my
first company, a lot of attention was placed on fundraising and
the fiduciary responsibility that comes when you take other
people's money. But I have learned how important the career
development of your team is during the process. One of
our engineers heard these first three questions and I added
a fourth question. We now call it the "Tome Four."

when you grow up?
This is the most fun question I ask people,
regardless of age. Some of the best
answers come from the most seasoned
veterans. The answers led to the creation
of a culture budget at Tome, which has
helped get people to do the things they
enjoy and make their lives better. I have
heard answers from career growth to
becoming a CTO, to starting a small business or being a better parent. The important thing is my commitment to helping
people be what they want to be. When
business gets tough, I sleep at night
knowing that I treat people the way I want
to be treated. As someone who used to
"work for the man," part of that means
I can change the mold and remind everyone that life is too short to not do what
you love. My only caution is that asking
this question requires a commitment on
your part to help people get there.

i3 - July/August 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of i3 - July/August 2017