Now that summer is over, your team members may need a nudge to shift gears from a slower summer pace into a regular work schedule.
That change of pace should be pronounced, but not too sudden, says Chantal Binet, president of Chantal Binet Management Coaching in Cantley, Que., to keep your business running smoothly and to avoid mistakes.
Follow these tips to help your team gear up for fall:
> Make it official
Schedule a meeting to signal the start of the new season.
A full staff meeting will get the momentum going, says Tara McDonough, life and executive coach and owner of What’s Possible? in Peterborough, Ont. Talk about upcoming initiatives and projects at the meeting.
> Start a new tradition
If your office has summer hours or a summer dress code, do something different to mark the end of the season and a return to a “regular” business day, says McDonough.
For example, if your team usually goes for after-work drinks during the summer, she says, bring in bagels for a Monday-morning meeting instead.
> Set goals
Re-focus your team for the fall months with some new goals.
People work best when they have short-term goals in sets of three, says Binet. Have your team decide on three goals per month, per week and per day, for the rest of the year.
Keep track of those goals with remainders either in your CRM system, an excel spreadsheet or even a note pad, she says.
> Remain focused
Stay on task throughout the fall and winter by having your team ask the right questions.
Binet suggests that team members ask themselves three or four questions before taking on any new responsibilities or opportunities.
Potential questions to ask include: Will this new opportunity help me to achieve my goals for the week? Does it align with the business’s vision? Does it play to my strengths? What are the ripple effects if I take on this new responsibility?
> Allow for a grace period
Give your team a chance to get used to the new pace.
A relaxed summer work atmosphere can help boost morale, says McDonough. So, it’s important to avoid destroying all that goodwill and productivity by pushing too hard, too fast when moving your office back to a regular work schedule.
> Check in regularly
Make sure team members are adjusting to the change of pace at the office.
Take the team’s pulse, says Binet. Every six weeks meet with team members to get a sense of how they are feeling and if they are on track with their tasks and objectives.
IE