Identifying skill gaps and knowing how to fill them enables you to build a well-rounded, capable team that can tackle diverse challenges. By recognizing what expertise is missing, you can strategically hire or partner with advisors that complement your existing strengths and address any weaknesses.

Conduct an audit of your venture and identify what you need in order to grow and strengthen your operations for present and future needs. Create a skills matrix for your team that maps your current capabilities and identifies critical gaps. Develop a plan to address those gaps through training, hiring, or partnerships. Implement regular skill assessments and development conversations with team members.

• Rather than hiring new personnel, consider upskilling existing team members as a cost-effective strategy to fill skill gaps, using methods such as online courses, certifications, or local workshops.
• Organize and prioritize tasks based on the type of labor needed—some tasks can be performed with a part time hire rather than a full time staff member. Consider AI and other technology services that can support and fill in gaps.
• Consider forming partnerships with other companies to access the specialized skills you need.
• When asking for support, be specific about the skillset you require, as you are more likely to be able to find the right type of support to fill it.
• Recognize that skill gaps are natural in a growing venture; they don't necessarily indicate poor hiring decisions.
• Consider how strengths from your culture or context, rather than traditional academic or business approaches, could uniquely help to fill a gap. For example, in BIPOC settings, knowledge and expertise are deeply embedded in community traditions and shared, while traditional business and academic worlds often prioritize formal education and published research, potentially overlooking the value of experiential and community-based insights.