How to optimise worksite productivity over Christmas
The holiday season is a big deal for a lot of people, and for much of the All Lift team, we’re fans of kicking back with family and friends. Everyone needs downtime, and summer seems like a great time to do that. With that, we want to ensure we’re not being ‘Bah humbug!’ when we say, yes it’s a fun time of year, but the show must also go on… By this, we just mean that a lot of worksites need a great contingency plan to keep project goals and productivity on track while festivities offer some timeframe hurdles. Preparing your worksite for productivity during the holiday season requires some careful planning. Here are some tips to help you maintain efficiency and meet your milestones over December and January.
Schedule wisely
When it's the holiday season, make a plan for your work that considers the holidays. First, figure out which jobs are the most important or can't wait. Then, decide who on your team should do these jobs. This way, you can make sure you get the important things done, even with the holidays coming up.
Notify your team, and encourage early holiday notice
Tell your team about the holiday break periods well in advance and have them put in their leave (if they are taking additional days) to get a good gauge on how many hands you’ll have on deck. This way, everyone is on the same page, and there won't be any surprises during the holidays. Don’t forget to also advise your contractors, clients and any other interested parties.
Holiday coverage
Create a plan for when some of your team members are on holiday. Make sure that the important jobs still get done, even if a few people are away. This way, the work keeps going smoothly, and nothing gets left behind during the holidays. It's like having a backup plan to make sure everything runs well.
Order supplies in advance
Think ahead and order the things you need for your work before the holidays. Sometimes, getting supplies can be slower during the holidays, so it's a good idea to order early. This way, you won't have to wait, and your work won't be delayed because you have everything you need. It's like being prepared so you can keep going smoothly.
Team morale
Boost team morale with recognition of their hard work through the year. While it’s definitely a time to celebrate, also try to stay mindful of all the different ways people engage with and experience this time of year. As much as a Christmas party is a fun way to sign off, also ensure you’ve been communicative about support options if anyone needs them, and remunerate the team as much as you can. Without them, the successes on your worksite simply wouldn’t be possible.
Check in with clients
Don’t leave clients out in the cold (yep, it can happen even on an Aussie summer holiday period). Keep them well informed of your plans, but also let them know their value to you and your team. However you can or wish to reach out to them, ensure they feel comfortable and considered over the break, retaining their confidence in you and the project through to the new year and beyond.
Flexibility
Be ready to adapt to unforeseen challenges and changes in the schedule due to the holiday season. While you do want to make sure you get some time off and can relax and reset, there might be things that arise out of your control that you will need to act on. Sometimes, these can be weather events (such as bushfire season for a lot of our more regional clients), team changes of circumstance, client changes of circumstance or project goals, and anything else that might hinder your productivity timeline. You can’t control everything, and you may not be able to change it. Keeping a flexible mindset can help you make good decisions more quickly at a time where not everyone or everything you would ordinarily have to rely on will be at hand.
By taking these steps, you can maintain worksite productivity during the Christmas season while allowing your team to enjoy the festivities and take well-deserved breaks.