"I hired an intern to save time, but now I'm spending all my time managing them!"
Sound familiar? 🤔
As a founder who's worked with countless interns over the years, I truly understand this frustration.
The promise: Extra help, fresh ideas, and increased productivity
The reality: Constant questions, missed deadlines, and more work for you
But don't give up on interns just yet. There's immense value waiting to be unlocked.
Here's what many miss about intern programs:
Interns are investments in future talent.
They bring fresh perspectives and energy to your team.
With the right approach, they can significantly boost your productivity.
3 keys to intern success I've discovered through trial and error:
1. Align expectations
• Be crystal clear about roles, responsibilities, and goals
• Set realistic timelines and deliverables
• Discuss your communication preferences upfront
2. Create a detailed roadmap
• Break big projects into manageable, bite-sized tasks
• Provide clear instructions and resources for each step
• Set up regular check-ins to monitor progress
3. Foster independence and growth
• Teach problem-solving skills, not just task completion
• Encourage questions, but guide them to find answers themselves
• Provide opportunities for creativity and initiative
When done right, interns can be game-changers for your business. They can:
• Bring fresh ideas and perspectives to longstanding challenges
• Take on time-consuming tasks, freeing you up for strategic work
• Become amazing full-time hires who already know your business
Real-world example:
One of our interns revolutionized our social media strategy, increasing engagement by 200% in just two months. Today, she's our Head of Digital Marketing.
Remember, a successful internship program benefits both parties:
• You get extra help and potential future talent
• They gain valuable experience and mentorship
Need help creating a win-win internship program?
I'm offering free 15-minute strategy sessions this week.
Comment "Intern Success" and I'll DM you to schedule.
Let's build the next generation of talent together.
What's your best tip for managing interns? Share in the comments below.
#StartupGrowth #TalentManagement #InternshipSuccess #Leadershipdevelopment #FutureofWork
Good luck to everyone interning this summer! We're excited to hear how your internships go 👏