Looking Back: Lockdowns vs Current Restrictions
Looking back, it almost feels like lockdown was easier for businesses than the current restrictions. You closed your doors, notified your team, and headed home until the government gave the green light to open back up.
But now, with last-minute changes to restrictions and isolation rules, businesses are struggling to survive. With over 40,000 Covid cases per day in states like NSW and VIC, one positive case can isolate staff and force companies to shut their doors for weeks.
Lockdowns Look Different in 2022
With new variants of Covid spreading like wildfire, businesses face unique challenges even Australia’s harshest lockdowns couldn’t have predicted. Now industries, such as hospitality and events, are experiencing pain points, including:
- Staff shortages because employees are either close contacts or have tested positive for Covid-19
- Opening hours depending on available workforce
- Poor customer service due to insufficient staffing
- Supply chain issues delaying essential business functions
These are unprecedented times. Without government support, business owners must find ways to keep their businesses open. Since the pandemic's start, we’ve worked closely with businesses across various industries to help them find ways to adapt.
In this guide, we’re sharing our top seven tips to help you manage your business in today’s climate and during future challenges that may occur.
Seven Tips for Business Survival in 2022
After gathering feedback working with businesses in Australia and across the globe, we’ve put together our top tips to help manage business complexities despite new Covid variants and their effects on your workforce.
1. Stagger Shift Patterns
Depending on your business type, learning how to stagger staff rostering patterns will help reduce overlaps and ensure that you have staff on the sidelines should any of your employees have to self-isolate. Apply the same logic to management, so you always have a manager available should something happen.
2. Always Be Hiring
One of the biggest challenges that businesses are facing is staff shortages. The Restaurant and Catering Industry Association estimates there are roughly 100,000 vacant jobs. Because staff are in such short supply, many businesses have had to increase their wages.
To help combat these challenges, try innovative ways to get people excited to join your business:
- Offer referral incentives for current employees
- Build a great culture using team-building activities
- Use your social platforms to let customers know you’re hiring
- Rethink roles and replace them with multi-functional positions
- Hire staff on a short-term basis to mitigate shortages at peak times
3. Improve Site-Based Hygiene & Hygiene Practices
To mitigate the risk of contracting and spreading Covid within the workplace, consider improving site-based hygiene and, where possible, allow employees to work from home until conditions stabilise.
- Provide sanitiser for customers and staff: Use signs to encourage sanitisation as a condition of entry.
- Set up a sanitisation station: Make it visible to customers and employees upon entering.
- Train staff on distance-based service: Empower employees to maintain service standards under new conditions.
- Provide Rapid Antigen Tests: Cover the cost for staff to control infections and increase safety.
- Encourage sick days: Incentivise unwell staff to take time off to prevent larger outbreaks.
- Consider a vaccine policy: Work with local organisations to understand obligations if unsure.
4. Automated Staff Rostering Solutions
Managing uncertain times is challenging, especially with changes in demand and last-minute sick leave. Automated rostering solutions like RosterElf can streamline scheduling. Features include:
- Staff availability: Employees can update availability for accurate scheduling.
- Shift swapping: Staff can swap shifts using the 'Perfect Match' algorithm.
- Communication tools: Send instant updates via email and SMS.
- Sales reporting: Use data to predict demand and staffing needs.
5. Cloud-Based Software & Subscriptions
Cloud-based software like RosterElf, Xero, and Salesforce can help cut costs, increase agility, and save time on admin tasks.
6. Manage Stock Like a Pro
With significant supply chain issues, it’s crucial to:
- Take stock of essentials
- Collaborate with industry peers to source or share supplies
- Manage customer expectations and build creative solutions
7. Run Lean
Adopt lean processes to drive efficiency and remove waste. Consider “Running Thin” by operating at reduced capacity to alleviate pressure on staff and supply chains. This method can help stabilise operations and position businesses for recovery.
What’s Next?
Unfortunately, there’s no silver bullet for surviving post-lockdowns and restrictions. However, we hope this guide assists you in thriving through these challenging times.
Contact our team today to learn more about how RosterElf can support your business.
Have survival tips to share? Send them to help@rosterelf.com; we’d love to hear from you!
Adam Clune
Head of Marketing and Growth at RosterElf
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