“Strategic planning” is a phrase all employers and managers know and dread. Creating a workable strategic plan with goals that address your organization’s mission and needs is a huge function of all management departments, but if you’re not addressing staffing in your strategic planning efforts, you’re neglecting the key to meeting your goals — the employees who make it all happen. Including staffing as part of your overall strategic plan or creating a staffing plan that incorporates the goals of your strategic plan is integral to your success.
Addressing Known Staffing Needs
Whether your organization plans to expand or to reduce services and workforce, you have some idea of how your staffing needs are likely to change in the near future. Planning for addressing that change will make meeting your organization’s goals easier. Creating a recruitment plan that anticipates new hires before they are needed prevents staffing shortages when you’re in a crunch. Likewise, knowing how you’ll deal with a decreased demand for full-time or part-time staff in the future helps you to plan for retirements and other staff departures without being left in the lurch. Having a strategy for calling in temporary employees or gradually reducing your employees hours before the need arises can prevent headaches down the line.
Anticipating Unknown Staffing Needs
No matter what your organization’s future plans are, unknown variables such as economic factors, community and seasonal needs and other variables can change your organization’s staffing needs almost overnight. Knowing how you’ll handle unexpected staffing shortages before they occur can make meeting these needs easier when they arise. Temporary employees are a perfect solution to unexpected staffing demands, but in order to use them effectively, you need to establish a relationship with a staffing firm before the need is urgent. Draft an as-needed staffing plan well in advance so that meeting the demand for unexpected staffing requirements is as easy as picking up the phone.
Creating a strategic staffing plan is easy when you know where to turn for help. The staffing professionals at Staffing Partners are ready to help you plan for your organization’s future staffing needs, with recruiting experts and an experienced workforce ready to fill your temp or temp-to-hire positions. Call Staffing Partners today to let our recruiting experts advise you on your organization’s staffing strategy.
