As a business owner, you are the captain of your ship. But ensuring your company is consistently moving in the right direction, especially as you start to scale, means you simply cannot do it alone. Sustained success in business needs a talented team of people with the right skills and perspectives to maintain company value.

Ask yourself two important questions about your members of staff – if they left tomorrow, would you regret this, and secondly, would you rehire them? If the answer to either of these questions is no, it is safe to say you do not have the right team to drive your business forward to enable you to successfully scale.

If you want to stay ahead of the curve and continue driving profitability and growth long-term, you need employees who bring their best to work each day. In short, you want your team to be composed of A-players.

What are “A-players”?

The term “A-player” refers to employees who consistently deliver high results, meeting and exceeding the expectations of their role. They bring their best to your business every day, and are always on the lookout for ways to improve and develop themselves.

When you are looking to scale and grow your business, the contribution from these kinds of employees really cannot be overstated. They live and breathe your company’s values, achieving results and boosting the overall productivity and value of your enterprise, while setting a standard of excellence both within your organisation and for your customers.

While you may not be able to do it all yourself, by hiring A-players in key roles, you can be assured that your own high standards for your business are being maintained, so you can redirect your efforts towards working on the business rather than in it.

How they benefit your business

These high-achieving employees are an invaluable asset because they share your vision for the business. They are instrumental in maintaining a positive company culture, which in turn makes for a harmonious and productive team. This is no small issue; a poor company culture can be detrimental to your business in the long run by contributing to high staff turnover and generally low morale.

Surrounding yourself with A-players also helps in freeing up more of your own valuable time, as they tend to require very little in terms of management. They know and understand what is expected of them, and are able to get on with the job in hand without being closely supervised. When it comes to scaling your business, this means more time for you and your management team to spend on vital components of organisational and operational leadership.

When you are in the process of scaling your company, there are often a lot of moving parts which require the ability to adapt and pivot, and this is another key area these high-achieving employees excel in. Their versatility means they are well suited to taking on new roles and responsibilities, making them a good choice for dynamic positions within your organisation.

Attracting and retaining A-players

You obviously want the best possible people to work for your company, but attracting these kind of employees means your business must also offer something in return. Staff that can add the most value to your business want the opportunity to be a part of a winning organisation, and this is something that is achieved through your leadership and vision.

Setting yourself as an example by being a leader with a good reputation, business sense and the ability to connect with your team in a genuine and authentic way is key to building a team of talented and capable staff.

To attract the best of the best, you must also ensure that your business offers ample opportunities and incentives for learning and professional growth, and that you are providing your A-players with all the tools they need to thrive and achieve a sense of fulfilment from their jobs.

Effectively scaling your business means relinquishing certain aspects of control so you can concentrate on the big picture. This is why it is essential you build a strong team you can rely on. Finding the star players that can represent your company’s mission and values, and placing them in key roles throughout your organisation, is vital to maintaining value and momentum as you grow.

Rob Stone is founder and director of Instaloft.