Getting Your Staff Ready for the Holidays
With all the staffing challenges this year it’s time to regroup and make sure you are getting your team ready for the holidays. It’s the happiest time of the year…or maybe just the busiest!. It’s the perfect time to focus on preparing your staff and motivating your team to make the holiday season great.
The holiday season is a key event for human leadership to step up to the next level. How you and your management team talk about the holiday season will impact the performance and outlook of your team. Set the season up for smooth sailing by being positive & supportive even if behind the scenes you are worried.
Two keys to overall success are to have a plan and share details with your full team, including…
- Number of dogs/cats that you anticipate being in your care
- Consider flexible and shorter holiday shifts so everyone can get time with family
- Share details on your holiday wage premiums when applicable
- Remember to provide food for your team leading up to and on the holiday
- Start making confirmation calls to clients with reservations now; provide a reminder of stay policies and any vaccinations that need updating
- Remind clients to book ASAP if you still have openings for the holidays
- Inventory supplies and restock now
You still have time to offer training for new or returning part-time staff. Pet Guru College has a seasonal pet care role that is perfect for these team members or even a refresher for existing team members.
Be sure to watch our video for other tips on holiday season success including taking the stress out of holiday photos and craft projects. Show confidence in your team by empowering them and focus on the big picture of holiday success: healthy dogs and happy clients!
You can’t over communicate with clients and your staff during holiday periods. Being proactive with frequent reminders will reduce drama and improve odds of a smooth holiday season.
