Undeniably, the holiday season is a time of celebration and unity, but for businesses, it presents unique challenges. As the year winds down, teams often grapple with increased workloads, stress levels, and distractions brought about by the festive atmosphere. This makes it crucial to devise strategies to effectively ready your team for this period. Interestingly, while the holiday season can be hectic for those in retail, it might be a slow period for marketers due to people taking time off work.
It’s no secret that the holiday season is a busy time, and with the right strategies, it can be profitable. However, it’s important to consider the challenges and anticipated workload that come with it. Customer demands may surge due to people’s reluctance to visit physical stores. Despite these challenges, it’s possible to navigate this period successfully and achieve your business goals. Let’s delve into some strategies for preparing your team for the holiday season.
Understanding Different Worker Types
People working in an organization or establishment are typically referred to as employees, especially if they are under someone’s control.
Some characteristics that define an employee include:
- Being on the payroll or receiving a specific wage
- Possessing a written employment agreement
There are various types of workers, including:
Full-Time Workers
Full-time workers usually work more than 30 hours a week or 130 hours a month, as defined by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). However, the Fair Labor Standards Act doesn’t provide a definitive meaning for full-time or part-time workers, leaving it up to business owners to determine who qualifies for full employment. To ensure a successful holiday season, it’s crucial to provide full-time employees with the necessary resources.
Temporary Workers
Temporary workers, often referred to as ‘temporary employees,’ are typically hired on an as-needed basis, sometimes for specific projects. Their employment may last up to six months, and they usually stop working once the project is completed.
Contingent Workers
Contingent workers are usually outsourced by companies to perform tasks on a non-employee and non-permanent basis. They can work in a flexible environment, which may include remote working or a hybrid model (i.e., working both remotely and on-site). Businesses hire contingent workers for their expertise in specific fields. Examples of contingent workers include independent contractors, consultants, and freelancers.
Equipping Your Team for the Holiday Season
To effectively prepare your team for the holiday season, a combination of strategies is needed to keep them motivated, encouraged, and productive.
Let’s discuss some ways to prepare your team for the holiday season.
1. Implementing Team-Building Activities
One of the initial steps in preparing your team for the holiday season is implementing team-building activities. Organizing social events or virtual games that foster team building can help to cultivate a positive team spirit.
2. Establishing Clear Expectations
Given that the holiday season can be a profitable period, it’s crucial to set clear expectations for your teams. Clear expectations can prevent confusion and ensure commitment to achieving goals. This can be done by communicating the goals and work schedules to the teams.
3. Leveraging Technology Tools
With the increasing dominance of technology, savvy business owners are leveraging it for their benefit. Equipping your team with technology tools like project management software can simplify work processes and facilitate easy communication among team members.
In Conclusion
To ensure your team’s success during the holiday season, a multifaceted approach involving strategic planning is necessary. If your goal is to consistently meet your targets even during the holiday season, it’s crucial to devise plans that keep your teams resilient and motivated. This can be achieved through team-building activities, setting clear expectations, and leveraging technology tools.
