Getting employees to follow directions is the single most difficult thing that an employer faces on a daily basis. Following directions is a vital part of the profit chain, and mastering this skill set is the hallmark of any great manager.

Fortunately, this is an easy way to shine if you follow some simple rules.

When giving directions to employees you must always be clear of the expectations. If you are not clear about what you want, then your employees will not be either. Before giving directions, sit down and instruct yourself on what you want. Ask yourself the questions that you are likely to hear from your employees. Once you have a good idea of those questions, answer them.

Always make certain that you have the full attention of your employees when giving directions. Do not attempt to direct employees while they are already busy on a task. Have them stop what they are doing and listen.

Use yourself as the example. If this is a repetitive task such as stocking shelves, take some time to stock the shelves with them and show the way you want it done. There is nothing like a visual, clear demonstration to make your directions clear.

Have your employees either repeat your directions back to you, or perform the task in front of you first. This is very important, because it gives you the opportunity to answer questions and observe. This will give your employees confidence, and increase their productivity.

Never make fun of “silly” questions. What is a dumb question to you may be a serious question to your employee. Take every question at face value, and give an honest and clear answer.

Speak in a firm, clear tone of voice. Do not shout directions or speak in a muffled tone. Some people are not confident enough to ask you to repeat unheard directions. Make certain that you are speaking clearly.

Finally, make certain that you follow up with all directions. Do not wait until the deadline for the directions to come and check on progress. Stop by about a quarter of the way through to see how things are going. Enforcing standards and making yourself available are great ways to inspire confidence in your workers.

Clear and easy directions are very easy to master if you take the time to put yourself in the employee’s place. If you do this, you will have productive, happy employees that understand what you want and how you want it. This is very good for your business.

Hiring top employees for your business is the single best way to ensure success. Finding those top employees can be a real challenge, but with some work you can do so successfully. Top employees are easy to recognize if you know what to look for.

When looking for top employees for your business, it is very important to have your finger on the pulse of your current staff. Often, the best employees are right there in your office, just waiting to be trained and promoted. Always be aware of excellent workers who are only in need of further training. This is an excellent source of top employees.

Another great way to find top employees is to set up or attend a hiring fair. Those potential employees that take the time to attend a fair are usually motivated to succeed. Make sure that you take the time to talk with as many people as possible, and that you take excellent notes. It is a good idea to have a log book for them to put their contact information. This will allow you to call back potential top employees after the hiring fair.

Have your finger on the pulse of your competitors. The best top employees may be working for your competition. This is a very tricky situation, but can be overcome rather easily. If you have your eye on an employee in this situation, simply give them a call and ask if they would like to come in and talk. Often, they will be glad to hear what you have to say.

Go outside of your demographic for potential top employees. Sometimes having a fresh set of eyes can be very powerful. If you have an excellent training program, or an entry level position, look at all the employees around you. Waitresses, waiters, customer service staff, and all of the workers that you encounter during your daily life can be a wonderful source of top employees. Never dismiss someone because of perceived qualifications.

Go through old applications and make some phone calls. Often when people apply, their applications get lost in the shuffle. There is almost always a diamond in the rough lying right in the middle of your files. Take some time to get in there and dig. You just might find your next superstar.

Finding top employees is about awareness and effort more than anything. If you are paying close attention to those opportunities around you, and working to create new opportunities, then finding the next top employee will never be a problem.