During times of change, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. Regardless of whether that’s due to market changes or other unforeseen circumstances, flexibility is the key to survival during rough weather. Keep Your Business Flexible During Times of Change.

Adding flexibility to your company’s workplace policies benefits both your employees and the business itself. Employees achieve a better work-life balance, and businesses enjoy increased loyalty and productivity. Keep Your Business Flexible During Times of Change.

1. Hire Flexible Talent

A flexible workforce is a must-have for businesses that want to remain agile and competitive. One of the best ways to do this is by bringing in temporary talent through a flexible work arrangement like a staffing agency.

Hiring for flexibility isn’t as simple as scanning an applicant’s resume, however. In order to find the right candidates, you need to understand how they’ll work best and what personal obligations might impact their work performance.

2. Give Your Employees Flexibility

Providing your team with workplace flexibility is more than just a nice perk. It shows that you trust them to do their jobs, which can boost employee morale and increase productivity.

The best way to figure out what type of flexibility your employees want is to ask them. They may prefer a four-day workweek or unlimited paid time off, for example.

This can include covering a shift or training someone on an unfamiliar task. It’s also a great idea to invest in communication technology that works well across devices and time zones. This ensures that your team is always in the loop.

3. Create a Culture of Innovation

The best business owners are always on the lookout for ways to improve their operations and meet customer needs. They do this by creating a culture that encourages innovation.

Innovative cultures encourage collaboration, creative risk-taking, crowdsourcing and communication. They also avoid bureaucracy and other barriers that can stifle creativity and innovation.

For example, companies like Uber and Lyft have innovated ride-sharing options to better serve their customers, while Airbnb and Vrbo have facilitated the renting of homes for travelers. When your business can think outside of the box, you can improve its flexibility and offer more choices for your customers.

4. Give Your Employees Time Off

People need time to recharge and refresh. Getting away from the workplace allows employees to focus on their own goals and personal growth, and they return with renewed energy and focus.

Real flexibility heightens employee empowerment and innovation, but it’s important to balance that with accountability. During high-intensity seasons (such as the holidays), too many last-minute time off requests can cause major problems for a business.

To avoid this, companies need to establish a system for handling overlapping requests. You can do this by adopting a first-come, first-served policy or a system that weighs and prioritizes reasons for the request. Avoid using arbitrary managerial discretion, as this can reek of favoritism. Instead, consider giving priority to employees who have fewer previous requests or those who make fewer requests.

5. Invest in Technology

During times of uncertainty, business flexibility is essential. It allows businesses to adapt quickly and capitalise on unexpected opportunities. This is particularly true for small businesses. They can take advantage of shifting consumer demands by introducing new products or providing services they didn’t previously offer.

Business flexibility also enables companies to better accommodate employee needs. For example, if an employee is expecting a baby, they can work remotely or the company might convert an extra-large utility closet into a private lactation space.

In the digital era, flexible working is fast becoming the norm for employees and business owners alike. It is important that businesses keep their technology up to date so they can support a flexible workplace and remain competitive in the marketplace. This means embracing collaboration tools like Acctivate Inventory Software, communication tools such as Zoom and Teams, and enabling employees to do their best work wherever they are needs read more hear.