A sharp increase in the number of orders can bring chaos to the enterprise. On the one hand, it is a "golden age" for many companies. On the other hand, the lack of manpower or an action plan will, at best, prevent them from taking advantage of the seasonality potential, and at worst - negatively affect the brand's opinion. How to prepare organizationally for the 4th quarter of the year? We suggest below.
"Getting closer to the holidays…"
Although it's only September in the calendar, big brands are already getting ready for the holiday season. During the sale, you can increase your sales by up to 40% in one day. However, you have to bear in mind that this requires perfect logistical coordination. The time when increased demand can be noticed has a direct impact on the company in two ways. The number of orders, which will exceed the company's capabilities during the boom (productivity crisis), is a big threat.
On the other hand, there is a fear that you will not use the full potential of the situation. From the point of view of logistics management, when it comes to servicing e-shops, the biggest problem is proper planning of work. Typically, this is about matching resources with the volatility of demand. Example? The popular "no manpower", replenishing inventory "by feeling" or offering products that we just don't have in stock. As a result, the customer does not receive the product he cares about within the time specified.
So where is it worth starting?
Step I: Analysis of the effectiveness of logistics processes and flows in the supply chain.
Step II: Conduct a demand audit in Q4 (you can rely, among others, on historical data to observe in which week you noticed your sales peak).
Step III: Long-distance planning (carry out sales forecasts, employee demand forecasts).
No hands to work? Bet on the employer's brand
What is employer brand and how is it different from a product/service brand? The main objective of the employer brand is to reach potential employees and eliminate the problem which has recently become the shortage of workers. Employer brand becomes indispensable in the process of recruiting new employees, but also to retain those who have already been employed.
Your company is short of workforce?
Build an employer brand and get rid of this problem!
- WITHimage building based on a strong employer brand is strongly correlated with the company's strategic goals. It is a system of connected vessels. The brand is presented as an attractive workplace. Often the "company of choice". As a result, it can reach the specialized employees it currently needs in an efficient and quick way. They, in turn, effectively work to ensure that the organization grows, develops and generates income - says Sebastian Kopiej from the Commplace agency.
Meanwhile, half of Polish companies still do not have a strategy for shaping their image. The 25% does not even see such a need. And you should be aware that, as the report from the study "Perception of the image of employers in the eyes of candidates" indicates, as many as 84% candidates check opinions about the future employer before applying for a job.
So where is it worth starting?
I: Conduct an audit of the company's image as an employer brand.
II: Prepare an employer branding strategy.
III: Plan a recruitment campaign and implement other activities in the area employer branding.
IV: Conduct workshops with managers on building cooperation relationships.
The fourth quarter of the year is a test for your company. Will you pass it successfully? Will you maintain liquidity and a good brand image? Start thinking about it now and you will reduce the risk of the negative effects of not planning.