All around are signs of spring: trees are budding, grass is greening up, snow is melting in the mountains, fressias have bloomed.

Hiring is getting better, too. An organic fruit/vegetable home delivery company put out an ad for a new driver and got 200 resumes. Last fall she got 2. A manufacturer looking for a technical service representative interviewed 3 great candidates and found a better qualified hire than the guy who left. Baby boomers who might have left in the last 2 1/2 years are retiring in droves.

What has changed? Maybe some of those who embraced the big resignation left larger companies and are now choosing to look at smaller companies with great cultures. Maybe, as some claim, it is because government support has run out. Maybe, companies are writing better more attractive ads -marketing to potential team members the way they market to potential customers. .Or maybe, people are beginning to feel safe around other people. My hunch is that the biggest factor is that kids are finally, really, back in school. The disruption and exhaustion caused by parents having to supervise kids at home has been greatly under appreciated.

This is the time to up your search to grow your team. Seek out the folks who you have always wanted to join you. Look to fill those positions that you know will make you a better company.

Further, when team members leave, demand that your team hire up. Replace with better.Yes, it will be more expensive in the short term. And, you know how exciting it will be to have a great team around you. Sow the seed by hiring smart now and reap the harvest of greater success by fall.