Black Friday is right around the corner, and if you're running a business, you know that it's one of the busiest shopping days of the year. To meet the demands of this shopping extravaganza, you'll need more staff than at other times of the year. This is where a temp labour company can come in and offer a top-notch solution. In this blog, we share 10 tips on how to successfully ramp up your workforce for Black Friday using temp labour.

 

1. Start Early

Don't wait until the last minute to start lining up new workers. Begin your recruitment process well in advance. Contact a temp labour company, like Grizzly Force, that specializes in filling positions for warehousing, order picking, forklift operation, and general labour. This will give you ample time to discuss your needs with your account representative who will help you find, interview (if necessary), and train new employees. Waiting until the eleventh hour can lead to a shortage of staff when you need them the most.

 

2. Define Your Black Friday Needs

Take a close look at your business operations during previous Black Fridays or other labour spike holidays like Boxing Day. What positions need to be filled? Do you need more packers, order pickers, or production workers? How many extra workers will you need and for how long? Identifying your specific needs will help your account representative target their recruitment efforts effectively in a vast pool of over 65,000 workers. Grizzly Force workers are available to fill shifts at any time of the day or night. 

 

3. Use Multiple Channels

To reach a wide pool of potential hires, use various recruitment channels. In addition to using a digital temp labour provider, if your company needs to fill managerial positions that require more education or higher certifications, Indeed and Linkedin are very useful resources. Grizzly Force can also assist with temporary to permanent hiring, and sourcing specialized skills within the labour category. Ultimately, casting a broad net increases your chances of finding qualified candidates for all positions. 

 

 

4. Offer Competitive Wages

Competitive wages are a significant draw for job seekers, particularly gig workers. To ensure your wages are competitive, pay close attention to industry standards and make adjustments accordingly. Additionally, offering incentives such as bonuses or overtime pay can further enhance your ability to attract a larger pool of applicants. In times of high living costs and inflation, competitive wages become even more critical, as they can rapidly fill your open positions. If you require guidance on setting an appropriate wage, your account representative can offer valuable advice and support.

 

5. Prioritize Black Friday Training

Once you've hired your seasonal staff, invest time in proper training. Place a permanent employee as a company ambassador to your temp staff to create a smooth experience for everyone. Having one or two points of contact within the company for temp workers will streamline communication and training. Consider giving the temp workers tasks that are straightforward and easy to understand. Good training and clear points of contact for questions help seasonal workers feel confident and perform their jobs quickly and efficiently. This will allow for greater success during your busiest time. 

 

6. Communicate Expectations

Clearly communicate your expectations for the timeframe the workers will be helping ramp up for Black Friday. Let your employees and temp staff know about the importance of any specific production requirement, deadlines, and the hours they will be working. Transparent communication and clear goals foster a positive work environment. In addition, the Grizzly Force hiring platform also allows you to send announcements to your temps to keep them up-to-date and prepared for any changes that happen. 

 

 

7. Have a Contingency Plan In Place

Things don't always go as planned. People get sick and shipping delays can happen. On the other side of the coin, large unexpected orders may come in that create a rush. By working with Grizzly Force you’ll have a contingency plan in place for anything that happens. With our online hiring platform, you can scale your workforce up or down from the comfort of your mobile. Our average fill-time, even for last minute jobs, is under 30 minutes. 

 

8. Show Appreciation

Recognize and appreciate your regular and seasonal workforce. A simple "thank you" can go a long way. If your company doesn’t already have an employee recognition program in place, it might be time to consider implementing one. Another way to boost the morale of your Grizzly Force temp labour is by using the “preferred worker list.” Any worker that you’re happy with should be added to your preferred worker list. Then, for future jobs, these workers will be notified first. This is not only a nice confidence boost for the workforce, but it also ensures that you bring back workers who are already trained and a good fit for your business. 

 

9. Gather and Give Feedback 

After Black Friday is over, gather feedback from your full-time employees. What went well? What could be improved? Use this feedback to refine your approach for the next year. An additional step for success with temp labour is to give feedback to your Grizzly Force account manager. As your temp labour provider, we’re your partner towards success and are invested in the whole process. Your account manager will take your feedback and work with you to fine-tune your future experience. Open communication about the successes and downfalls of Black Friday helps all parties gain insights and improve.

 

10. Start Planning For Next Year

Black Friday isn't a one-time event. As a result, you should start planning for next year as soon as the current one ends. Historical data, analytics and feedback are all powerful tools to increase efficiency and skyrocket profits. Planning ahead will give you more time to prepare and give you greater control over your Black Friday outcome.

 

 

Take Away

In conclusion, preparing your workforce for Black Friday is all about careful planning, early action, and effective communication. By following these steps, you can ensure that your business is ready to handle the holiday rush and make the most of this busy shopping day. When partnering with Grizzly Force, you gain a competitive edge over the Canadian labour shortages and greater control over your production and fulfillment. 

Get in touch today to find out how we can help you through Black Friday.