How To Get Started

We get a lot of calls saying, "We go to the Topgrading Shop and see quite an array of tools to help companies roll out Topgrading, but please, simplify it - what do we need?"

The one absolutely essential tool for Topgrading is licensing the Topgrading forms. There are 5 forms, but the crucial ones are the Topgrading Career History Form (licensed, you can email it to candidates and use it to cut a stack of resumes to only 3 of the best candidates to interview) and the Topgrading Interview Guide (the 32-page handy form to write notes on). Without the Topgrading Interview Guide no company we know of has achieved even 70%, let alone 90% hiring success. To license the form, click here.

With a 15 minute phone call we can tailor a specific proposal, but a typical program looks like this:

Small Company, Inc.
60 employees
10 managers

1 manager (Ideally the CEO) attends Smart & Associates workshop
(This total immersion in Topgrading for a day equips the CEO to confidently launch the Topgrading.) 		$2,997
Avoid Costly Mis-Hires
(This free, downloadable 50-page eBook is a practical overview of Topgrading methods.)		 Free
Topgrading: How Leading Companies Win by Hiring, Coaching, and Keeping the Best People (big book) (@ $27.95 x 10 managers)
(This is the complete Topgrading manual, including sections on hiring, firing, coaching, and how to become and remain an A player.)		 $280
First year of license for all 5 forms and interview guides
(The electronic versions are easy to email, download, and print out.)		 $1,497
First year of license for 1-hour hiring video
(Available through links 24/7, this is a great introductory course and "refresher", available for one year online.)		 $1,497
Train-the-Trainer 7-hour DVD package
(Teams can watch a section and discuss how to implement that Topgrading tool.) 		$1,497
Consulting on Implementation
(This optional component can consist of conducting a workshop, providing coaching through all the hiring steps.)		 TBD
Topgrading Tips
(This monthly newsletter helps all managers stay abreast of the latest Topgrading research and best practices.) 		Free
Quarterly Conference Calls with Brad Smart
(Ask him any question and he'll give you valuable feedback.) 		Free
  $7,768

Larger Company, Inc.
300 employees
25 managers
3 locations

2 managers (CEO, HR) attend Smart & Associates workshop (offered quarterly)
(This total immersion in Topgrading for a day equips the CEO and head of HR to confidently launch the roll out.)		 $5,194
Avoid Costly Mis-Hires
(This free, downloadable 50-page eBook is a practical overview of Topgrading methods.)		 Free
Topgrading: How Leading Companies Win by Hiring, Coaching, and Keeping the Best People (big book) (@ $27.95 x 25 managers)
(This is the complete Topgrading manual, including sections on hiring, firing, coaching, and how to become and remain an A player.)		 $699
First year of license for all forms/guides
(The electronic versions are easy to email, download, and print out.)		 $4,997
First year of license for 1-hour hiring video
(Available through links 24/7, this is a great introductory course and "refresher.")		 $4,997
Train-the-Trainer 7-hour DVD package
(Workshops can be conducted internally with this video.)		 $1,497
On-premises 2-day Topgrading workshop for remaining managers
(We conduct this workshop, which powerfully launches Topgrading. Managers are coached through the complete, Topgrading Interview process.)		 $25,000
Consulting on Implementation
(This optional component can consist of conducting or co-leading workshops, coaching, or simply answering questions during implementation.) 		TBD
Topgrading Tips
(This monthly newsletter helps all managers stay abreast of the latest Topgrading research and best practices.) 		Free
Quarterly Conference Calls with Brad Smart
(Ask him any question and he'll give you valuable feedback.) 		Free
  $42,384

Additional costs (call for rates) are for our Topgrading professionals interviewing candidates for selection or promotion - a "second opinion" until your Topgrading Interview skills are solid.

Any CEO or other manager looking at costs can say, "Hey, as soon as we've avoided one typical mis-hire, we've saved hundreds of thousands of dollars, enough to pay for all the Topgrading tools for decades!"