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Ask Better, Hire Smarter, & Win Q4

Maximize growth with smarter hiring strategies, proactive leadership decisions, and stronger executive partnerships.

🎉 Celebrating 10 Years of Excellence in Leadership and Community 🎉

In today's Biz Pulse, gain insight into how:

  • Tailored interview questions can help you hire your dream team and thrive during peak business seasons.

  • Delaying Q4 executive hiring could cost you millions in missed opportunities and strategic missteps.

  • Focusing on the relationship, not just skills, unlocks the full potential of an executive assistant partnership.

Each of these articles is penned by members of Forbes Business Council, successful business owners shaping the future of business.

Let’s dive in!

7 Interview Questions To Build Your Dream Team

Hiring the right seasonal staff can make or break a business during its busiest times. With restaurant industry turnover rates at 79%, finding skilled and dependable employees is no easy feat. A thoughtful interview process can help you identify top talent that aligns with your business's needs and culture.

Here are some of the targeted questions to help you assemble a winning team:

🍽 What’s your availability for the season? Quickly determine if the candidate’s schedule aligns with your peak business needs.

🔄 What are your plans for after this season? Assess their long-term interest in returning for future opportunities.

💬 What do you enjoy most about hospitality? Uncover their passion and work ethic—qualities that can't be taught.

⚡ How do you handle stress on the job? Gain insights into their composure during high-pressure situations.

😤 What’s your approach to difficult customers? Ensure they have the skills to de-escalate challenges professionally.

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Waiting Until Q1 To Onboard an Executive Could Cost You Big

Many companies delay hiring executives until after the new year, especially when candidates are tied to year-end bonuses or equity vesting. But leaving essential roles unfilled through Q4 can be far more costly than a hefty sign-on package. Missed opportunities, strategic missteps, and revenue delays could snowball into a sluggish start to the next year.

Here’s why waiting might be your worst decision:

⏳ Empty Seats = Strategic Drift: Key decisions are delayed or made by individuals who won’t be accountable long-term.

💸 Hidden Costs Add Up: While boards hesitate over sign-on bonuses, they overlook losses from paused acquisitions, missed product launches, or delayed market entry.

🚀 Smart Companies Seize Opportunities: Q4 hiring shows candidates that you’re bold and decisive—traits that attract top-tier talent.

💡 Creative Solutions Work: Consider bonuses tied to forfeited earnings, accelerated vesting, or relocation support to smooth transitions without unnecessary costs.

Executive Assistants: Hire For The Relationship, Not Just Skills

An exceptional EA isn’t just a task-doer—they’re your strategic partner. While skills and experience are essential, the true secret to a successful EA partnership lies in building trust, fostering open communication, and aligning on goals from day one.

Here’s how to create a high-performing executive/EA partnership:

🧩 Relational Fit > Just Skills: The best partnerships arise when work styles and personalities align. Technical expertise is essential, but trust and shared context drive greater results.

👏 Set the Tone as an Executive: Build trust through clear expectations, regular feedback, and open communication. Share tasks and the “why” behind priorities.

📋 Start Strong During Onboarding: Proactively offer access to calendars, tools, and informal knowledge. Schedule “ask me anything” check-ins and encourage curiosity.

🚀 Avoid Common Pitfalls: Don’t treat your EA like a catch-all or skip one-on-ones. Investing in the relationship sets the stage for long-term impact.

Wrapping Up

If these articles sparked your interest, we have a network that you will love: Forbes Business Council.

This exclusive, vetted community brings together seasoned business leaders — founders, CEOs, partners, and other senior-level leaders of successful companies.

Put yourself at the forefront of innovation with access to publishing opportunities on Forbes.com, a personalized, SEO-friendly Executive Profile, and the chance to network with other respected leaders in the field.

Join Forbes Business Council today, and become part of a group driving meaningful innovation in business.