Many small business owners need more time: time to market, to develop new products and services, to set up systems, etc. The two factors here are lack of time and lack of funds.  There never seems to be enough time to get to all the responsibilities that a business owner has. Hiring a new staff person becomes an expense that is not affordable until the cash flow appears. Consequently, most small business owners continue trying to fit 48 hours into a 24 hour day.

No matter what you business, there is a solution. Hire an intern! In today's economic climate jobs are scarce and many people would appreciate an opportunity to learn a new trade. Let's look at the benefits an intern can provide:

• less expensive that a full time new employee
• it's a way to try out a potential future employee with any commitment
  
• provides an opportunity to see how this person adopts to your business
• it gives you the needed free time to catch up on all your "to do" list
• you are giving back to your community 
• many young people have valuable technical knowledge to bring to your business.
• older people have a wealth of experience for you to draw on.
  

Both ends of the age spectrum should be considered for an intern position. Young people are having a hard time finding a job and many over 50 are facing the same situation.

The hiring process still requires careful panning. The responsibilities should be listed, but remember that you may be hiring someone for their future potential and not their current knowledge. Training (detail explanation) should be part of the internship program. Learning to read a person by their action and compatibility between you an a prospective intern is also a major consideration.

Although it may be possible to obtain an intern to work for free, I encourage a minimum wage payment.( this  avoids problems with the Fair Labor Standards Act.)

In talking to business owners who have used an intern to help grow their business, the results, for the most part, have been very good. Many of them earned a full time position with the business.

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We plant ideas, it's up to you to give them life!

Nick Petra
Certified Financial Planned
Business Coach and Mentor
e-mail: nick@nickpetra.com