Attract Top Talent to Your African Startup: A Founder's Guide

SDS 013: Clarifying Hiring for Early-Stage Startups

Hey! thank you for reading issue 013 of Startup Definition Sunday (SDS).

SDS is the newsletter for founders, bringing you clarity one actionable tip at a time.

SDS arrives every two weeks (you guessed it) on Sundays.

In every issue you can expect:

• 1 Definition of startup jargon

• 1 actionable tip you can implement right away

• 1 article on Africa tech that you should read

• 1 gift for founders

Let's dive in:

(P.S. I'll never sell your information, ever)

Hi - It's always such a pleasure to share each issue with you! If you missed the last issue, you can check it out here.

Before we dive into today's issue, Marge and I started something we think could be useful for founders - bi-weekly office hours to practice your 5-minute pitch.

If you missed the most recent recorded session, you can catch the recording here .

We are on a break till the start of Q3 but you can register here to be the first to know when we begin Q3 sessions.

Let's dive into today's issue.

A few months ago, I started asking new subscribers of SDS to fill out a form to tell me what they would like to read in future issues (thank you to everyone that fills out the form!).

In this issue, I want to talk about the most popular request I get: talent hiring & retention.

What is talent hiring & retention?

Talent hiring & retention: the process of attracting, selecting, and retaining skilled employees that can execute on the startup’s business vision, innovate, and adapt to the dynamic market conditions in Africa.

The ultimate guide for hiring talent in Africa

Attracting great talent is crucial for the success of any early-stage startup in Africa. To do so, founders need to follow a framework that prioritizes 3 key elements.

1. Develop a strong employer brand: Your employer brand is your company's identity as an employer. It showcases your culture, values, and mission, and helps attract top talent who are aligned with your vision. To develop a strong employer brand, consider the following:

   • Showcase your team's diversity and highlight your impact on local communities

   • Offer a unique work environment or perks that differentiate your company from others

   • Build audience and brand awareness on social media by sharing your company's story and value

2. Create a Clear Job Description: A clear and compelling job description is the foundation for attracting great talent. It outlines the role, responsibilities, and requirements, and helps candidates understand how they can contribute to your company's success. To create a clear job description, consider the following:

   • Emphasize the impact of the role on the company's mission

   • Outline opportunities for growth and development

   • Be transparent about compensation and benefits

3. Offer competitive compensation: While early-stage startups may not be able to offer the same level of compensation as established companies, there are still ways to offer competitive packages that show candidates you value their contributions. Consider the following:

   • Offer equity options to align employees' interests with the company's success

   • Provide benefits and perks that meet employees' needs and improve their quality of life

   • Allow for flexibility in working hours and remote work options

   (Bonus) Leverage your network and resources: Your personal and professional networks can be valuable resources for finding potential candidates. Consider engaging with local universities, incubators, and accelerators to connect with emerging talent. Industry-specific job boards, events, and conferences are also great resources for finding and connecting with potential candidates.

By following this framework, African startup founders can attract and retain top talent, build a strong team culture, and set their company up for success. Remember to prioritize your employer brand, create clear job descriptions, offer competitive compensation, and leverage your network and resources. With these elements in place, you can build a team that is passionate about your mission and committed to driving your company forward.

If you have learned something valuable today, consider joining SDS so you don't miss future editions.

If you only read one thing this week, read this...

Fatima Head of NVIDIA’s Developer Relations, Africa wrote a great piece on Africa’s role in the Global AI race.

Here's why you should read it: There are many gimmicky pieces on the role of AI out in the wild. This is one of the few pieces based in reality and relevant to where we are today in Africa.

How much do you use AI in your daily life?

Founder's Corner

Let's get real for a second: raising a round in 2023 is beginning to sound like going outside in mid-2020 - everyone is advising you against it. Unfortunately, unlike missing weekly drinks with your friends, you can't just pause on the fundraising.

The team at Africa The Big Deal have been curating a database of investors that have done deals in Africa since 2019.

It costs a fraction what you will pay for Crunchbase or Pitchbook BUT the team has offered a 10% discount for subscribers of SDS. Grab it here (and tell a friend!) to help you target investors in your sweet spot.

Thank you for reading to the end of issue 011.

Until we meet again in two weeks, here's how we can stay in touch:

• 🐦 Find me on Twitter

• 💬 Hit me up on Linkedin

• 💌 Email (hit reply)

• 🚀 Sponsor SDS (Reply to this email)

Let's chat again in two weeks,

Jasiel

P.S I am revamping my newsletters referral program after some helpful feedback from readers. I need your help on this:

What makes you excited to refer a newsletter to your friends & family?