Building High-Performance Teams for Growth: Insights from Terry Sydoryk, CEO of Cellar Insights

At Grid Group , we recently had the pleasure of speaking with Terry Sydoryk, MBA, CEC , CEO of Cellar Insights, an innovative agricultural?solution?provider?helping potato growers protect their crops?while in storage. With a proven track record of building teams and scaling companies, Terry shared invaluable insights into the critical, yet often overlooked, aspects of building a team for growth.

Here are some of Terry's key takeaways for growth company leaders:

• Prioritize the process: Hiring is the most crucial factor for growth, yet it often receives the least investment in terms of time, money, and resources. Prioritize it!
• Culture is Key: It's cliche but true,?culture eats strategy for breakfast. The early?hires will need to be adaptable as the early business needs will certainly change so a?bias on cultural alignment in the organization is paramount.? ?
• Balance is Essential: Find the right mix of experience, seniority, and maturity at a price you can afford. Avoid the pressure to hire more people at a lower cost instead of the right people who can add value.
• Onboarding and Teambuilding: Prioritize making new hires feel like part of the team and get them invested in the company’s purpose?and vision. Effective onboarding ramps up their ability to contribute quickly.
• Invest in Key Roles: Don’t hesitate to spend on critical positions. The right person in a key role can drive significant growth.
• Structured Hiring Practices: Establish a structured evaluation process. Include diverse personalities and expertise?from the team in the interview process?to avoid bias and?ensure?to assess?cultural fit.
• Hire for the Future: Recognize that today’s technical and experience requirements may change. Focus on hiring for culture, attitude, and aptitude to ensure long-term success.
• Cross-Functional Skills: Look for individuals with cross-functional skills who can support growth across the company?during those early?days. This minimizes the need for constant hiring to fill gaps.

The challenges and opportunities that scaling companies encounter evolve rapidly. Building a team prepared to adapt and address these changes is crucial for achieving sustainable growth and success. When hiring, it is essential to develop a comprehensive understanding of the critical areas of your business and anticipate potential changes. Invest time and resources into the most important hires to ensure you get it right, paving the way for long-term success.

Your hiring strategy must be as adaptable and flexible as your business.