You don't need the headaches and hassles that come with a bad hire, right? So take these steps, and find that new person who fits with your team perfectly.

The No. 1 characteristic of companies that move from good to great is finding and keeping the right people, says consultant Jim Collins in Good To Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap . . . and Others Don't (HarperCollins, 2001). But finding the right people isn't easy. To avoid costly hiring mistakes, take these hard-learned lessons to heart.

Hiring employees is the single most important management task in a practice.

Contacting former employers is a great screening tool to help you decide who to interview face-to-face.

Ommm for owners May 2008 Veterinary Economics

Good associates are rarer than hen's teeth, so how do you attract them to your cozy practice and keep them?

Make the promise. Keep your team May 2008 Veterinary Economics

His motto? No team member will leave his practice feeling unchallenged, concede to a lack of direction, or have professional growth hindered.

You're already familiar with the idea of hiring a relief veterinarian and the benefits that come along with doing so. But what about hiring a relief technician?

Salaries make up a big chunk of your total expenses, but when team members cover their basic living expenses, there may not be much left.

You can't afford to skip this crucial step when recruiting employees.