As we inch toward the end of the year, it’s already time to think about what to expect during the holiday season. It’s a stressful time for everyone, so don’t let your office feel the burden of trying to play catch up. Don’t be reactive: anticipate the needs of your employees and how you can provide the best service possible using these helpful tips.

Plan for Projects

Often when the holidays come around, it may coincide with big year-end projects or deadlines. Time management is always vital, but planning ahead when you know you’ll have a time crunch in the later months makes you a smart leader. Look at previous years to get a gauge but remember that new projects could lead to an increase in staffing needs. Divide work among your employees, and don’t be afraid to delegate. You don’t want any of your people to get overwhelmed during a tense time.

Anticipate New Business

Depending on your client base and the services you provide, you may need to expect an influx of business around the holiday season. Work with your sales team to see what is coming in the pipeline. The last thing you want to do is get blindsided by an order for a huge project, and you have to scramble to find the employees you need. A new project that is completed late or with a poor quality will hurt the company and also make you look unprepared.

Expect a Staff Shortage

Sure as the seasons change, you can expect people to take advantage of the holidays. There will be numerous time off requests, lots of sick days, and you’ll need to keep your organization going. The best way to handle seasonally low staff is to hire temporary workers. Seasonal temporary staff is a superb way to tackle your highest volume. Staffing agencies will have high-quality workers ready to jump in to pick up the slack. It’s a cost-effective, practical solution that will be terrific for your bottom line. Regardless of when your busy season is, develop a relationship with a staffing so that you can be prepared whenever you need a hand – during the holidays or for a two-week period in May.

Ready to jump into the candidate pool for the holidays? Look no further than highly-respected Davis Staffing, a temporary staffing agency in Chicago. Contact our great team of recruiters today and allow us handle all of your staffing needs!