By: Joshua Finley
Business success requires balancing many factors, but according to award winning entrepreneur Chris Allchin, your staff should be at the peak of your priorities. With over two decades of business experience including managing multiple companies under his private equity firm, Allchin Management, he has developed insights into building high-performing teams. In this wide-ranging interview, Chris shares his philosophy on staff development and what it takes to bring people along on your business journey.
Getting the Right Focus
“The number one thing people get wrong is thinking their customers are their most important asset. Don’t get me wrong – customers are very important. But your staff are absolutely your most valuable asset,” says Chris.
This counterintuitive perspective comes from experience running numerous ventures on his own at first before realizing the limitations of a one-man-show approach. “Now with six core companies and more in acquisition, I simply can’t manage it all myself. I needed to surround myself with talented people who in many cases are smarter than me.”
Rather than micro-managing day-to-day operations, Chris focuses on recruiting the right individuals and empowering them to excel. “I look for people who can teach me, not just those I can teach. The smartest entrepreneurs know when to get out of their own way and leverage others’ strengths,” he notes. This shift in mindset opened new growth possibilities for his businesses by tapping broader expertise and capabilities.
Developing Your People
Building a cohesive team starts with truly understanding each staff member as an individual. Chris rejects a one-size-fits-all approach, recognizing that values and motivations differ widely. “Money isn’t the top priority for everyone. One employee prioritized job security over a slightly higher salary because of stability needs,” he explains.
To gain these insights, Chris advocates regular check-ins that move beyond surface discussions. “I ask as many questions about people’s lives and interests outside work as I do about the job itself in interviews. It’s about getting to know them.” Demonstrating care through small personalized gestures like remembering birthdays or food preferences helps staff feel valued beyond their role.
Retaining talent also requires non-monetary rewards. “Positive reinforcement and believing in people’s potential is so powerful. I told one staffer I knew he could excel in sales despite doubting his own abilities, and now he’s one of our stars,” Chris recalls. While expectations and accountability remain, his supportive approach cultivates motivated teams.
Knowing When to Let Go
Managing personnel inevitably includes difficult situations. Chris believes exhausting training opportunities is wise first due to hiring costs. However, he acknowledges some redundancies cannot be resolved.
In these cases, an objective evaluation identifies the root issues. If the problem lies with poor onboarding or role-fit rather than individual effort, Chris addresses systems. If not, separation may be necessary while still maintaining professional respect. “It’s never personal, just what’s premier for the business. But I’ll always be grateful for people’s time with us.”
Advice for Building Your Bench
When hiring, look beyond skills to discover candidates’ drive and discipline. “I prefer people with routines like exercising regularly. It shows commitment to achieve results through daily habits, critical for sales,” notes Chris.
Relationship-building comes next. “View interviews as two-way conversations where you both assess fit. Pitch the role, but ask them as many questions as you answer.” Tapping your network for introductions to more experienced peers also expands your knowledge base for tackling bigger opportunities.
Most importantly, lead with positivity. “Success stems from helping others and expressing gratitude for life’s simple blessings each day,” advises Chris. Fostering staff happiness and prosperity in turn positions your ventures for sustainable growth. By prioritizing people development, Chris exemplifies how empowering high-performing teams yields exponential rewards.
To learn more about Chris Allchin, visit his website here.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
