5 Ways to Prepare Your Warehouse Staff for the Holiday Demand
The holiday season oftentimes brings higher demand for many industries. You should be preparing your warehouse staff for the upcoming holiday demand. Here are several tips to help you help your team get through the season.
Perform Maintenance
It is good to keep up with maintenance in your warehouse throughout the year. However, it is especially important to perform maintenance tasks before a busy season. Make any necessary repairs and replacements to equipment before holiday demand kicks in.
As an employer, it is also a good idea to take the time to train your staff to recognize issues with machinery and tools on the floor. Let them know how to report these problems. This can help prevent injury and potentially save you money in replacement costs if you catch the problem earlier enough to repair.
Use Available Technology
Technology can help your warehouse employees do everything from training to monitoring their productivity. Utilizing a warehouse management system will update your inventory in real-time. This will check that the items you are selling online are always in stock. Other blockchain-based technology can help you ensure that the supply chain is working at its peak function.
Keep in mind, if you don’t already have this tech in place, the holiday season isn’t the time to make the transition. It is already a busy time of year. So, if you want to implement this technology, do so after the holidays and be fully trained on it for next year.
Update Your Floor Plan
If your warehouse is going to be busier, it is a good idea to update your floor plan for optimal workflow. For instance, if you are going to have more products on the floor, it may be a good idea to invest in some storage containers or a shelving system.
You should also take a close look at the organization of your floor from a productivity standpoint. Maybe you want to organize everything by department or size. You should also be sure the warehouse has clear and easy-to-read signs throughout. This will help incoming seasonal employees better navigate the warehouse and ensure workflow moves in a meaningful way.
Take a Look at Previous Years
Think about how the workflow was impacted by the holiday season in previous years. How many seasonal employees did you have to bring on? What shifts were the busiest? This will provide you with information to help adjust your hiring needs and strategically schedule your staff to meet your needs.
Hire a Staffing Agency
Last, but not least, partnering with a staffing agency can help you prepare your warehouse staff for the holiday demand. An agency can help you find qualified seasonal workers to fill the gaps in your current staff. Professional recruiters will be sure each candidate has the skills and experience needed to be an asset to your team during the busiest season. They will also provide background checks and thoroughly vet each employee before they are brought on board.
The team of professionals at The Bradley Group is excited to help your organization with its staffing needs. Contact us to learn how we can assist you.
