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The New Dictionary of Hiring

The Capability Receipt

/THUH KAY-PUH-BIL-I-TEE RI-SEET/
  NOUN

The Capability Receipt is a one-sentence test of a hire's business impact: “Because this person is here, the business can now ___.”

MEANING

Finish the sentence: “Because this person is here, the business can now ____________.”

‍

If the answer is “fill the role,” try again.

‍

Maybe the company can open a clinic, bid on bigger contracts or enter another market. That's the result you should be measuring and talking about. The Capability Receipt is a useful way to make a hiring outcome harder to bury under activity metrics.

Defined by:
James Ellis,
Employer Brand Labs
Category:
Strategy
The New Dictionary of Hiring card: The Capability Receipt, noun. A one-sentence test of a hire's business impact: “Because this person is here, the business can now ___.” Abstract iridescent glass shape on a white background.

MAKE THE CHANGE

Instead of:
Ask:
Because this person is here, the business can now ____________.

EXAMPLE

A quarterly report proudly announces 40 roles filled. The business leader wants to know whether the promised new offering is finally ready. One sentence would answer both.

HOW TO USE IT

For priority hires, complete 'Because this person is here, the business can now...' with the hiring manager. Revisit the statement once the new employee is effective and report the actual business change.

SAY IT TO LEADERSHIP

I can show you how many positions we filled. I'd also like to show you what those hires made possible. That's a much better account of the value we're creating.

NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH

Capability Unlock: the Capability Receipt is the test; a Capability Unlock is what the test names.
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James Ellis
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