We’re soon to be joined by someone who used to work for us a couple of years ago. This is not unusual - we’ve had six or seven people come back after leaving us to travel or pursue other interests for a while.

If someone has good skills, likes the company and can make a valuable contribution I’m glad to welcome them back. So, in a few weeks we welcome an old friend back and in doing so create a new position to take up the opportunity.

What’s interesting is the perspective returning friends bring - both of their original time within the business and their view of the world in the context of coming back.

I was talking with another small business owner earlier this week and he said he’d never have someone back after they have left. While I can understand some people taking that view, for me it’s too narrow.