Look at your incentive structure. How can you get people to refer star performers from their previous workplace, in addition to friends? Is it clear to employees when bonuses are awarded and how much can be earned? Remember that a bonus paid for an employee referral gives you double bang for your buck. At same time that you're getting a pre-qualified candidate, you're also providing an incentive for current employee to stick around.

What does you employee referral program do for you? Take our poll, and see how others have voted at www.head2head.ca.

This month's recruiting headlines:

Companies Shift from Cost-Cutting to Attraction & Retention
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Eight Hiring Mistakes Employers Make
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Look North, Workers Advised: IT Jobs Are Available in Canada
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- What Goes Around Comes Around. Successful networking means giving and receiving. The most successful networkers know how to ask for what they need, whether it's in form of a business referral, financial advice or an introduction to a potential client. Get comfortable receiving assistance. Think of it this way: When you receive, you extend to others opportunity to give.

- Givers Gain. How can you build your network further by assisting a colleague or an aspiring entrepreneur? Who can you mentor or advise? Who can you refer business to? Through act of giving, you cultivate partners to support your vision, and further activate "what goes around, comes around" principle.

As an entrepreneur, you are captain of your ship. But as any successful leader knows, it takes all hands on deck to secure a successful voyage. You can do it alone, but not as well and not as easily. Ease and excellence go hand in hand. Activate and build your network to harness your full entrepreneurial potential.

------------------------------------------------------------------ Claudette Rowley, coach and author, helps professionals identify and pursue their true purpose and calling in life. Contact her today for a complimentary consultation at 781-676-5633 or claudette@metavoice.org. Sign up for her free newsletter "Insights for Savvy" at http://www.metavoice.org.