Bill Gates of Microsoft said the hardest thing to find is good people, and that if he lost his best people, he would lose Microsoft. I agree. If you think you need to wave that silly little resume around to get hired, think again. If you think people are impressed with your words, reconsider. We’ve met all the has-beens and parrots with the resumes. So your daddy sent you to university, so what? And we’ve heard all the words; talk is cheap, and North America is the Capital of the BS Specialists. We’re all looking for good people with the following seven qualities. Everything else can be learned, borrowed, or Joint Ventured. Nothing else matters.

1. Absolute integrity and honesty.
2. The ability and readiness to work hard, for as long as it takes, to deliver what you promise, on time, with no excuses or lies.
3. A positive, upbeat, optimistic, confident, humble, and teachable attitude.
4. A burning desire to achieve that will not be denied.
5. Courage, persistence, and determination in the face of hardship, obstacles, and failure.
6. Creativity, innovation, and the ability to think.
7. A professional, well groomed, well dressed, appearance – someone who can walk into any meeting and look good.

There are very few people with the above attributes, and each attribute comes by CHOICE. They don’t cost money. Anyone can CHOOSE to be like this. Your age, education, background, and circumstances do not matter. This means that there i no excuse not to do exceptionally well. The skills you need can be learned. You can even learn point number seven. When I got my first job out of hotel school managing a successful restaurant, the owner taught me how to shave properly. When I managed my first hotel, the owner taught me how to tie a Windsor knot in my tie. I modelled successful, wealthy people to learn how to dress and groom myself correctly. Attitude is all you need.

And Remember – YOU must resemble the above 7 items before you can fairly expect to find a business partner who embodies them as well.