2021 has arrived! Are you ready? If you’re hesitant to answer that question, you’re not alone. 2020 was a tumultuous year to say the least and you may be feeling a little leery to make the kind of plans you usually do for a new calendar year. Fret not! We’ve outlined some solid tips for preparing for a most uncertain year ahead.

To begin, identify the areas of growth that arose this past year. Likely one of them will be the ability to adapt quickly to change so here’s a useful question: Were managers prepared to deal with crises, and if not, what training can be provided to better equip them this year? Companies are most successful at pivoting their business models when leaders have knowledge on how to execute changes efficiently.

Speaking of change, we think it is by no means a stretch to suggest that any plans made for 2021 need to have a healthy dose of flexibility to them. Adaptability has been identified as one of, if not the, most important criteria in enduring the likely economic bumps ahead. Plan B may need a back-up plan of its own so dusting off your critical thinking skills is a must. It’s important to remember that employees expect employers to be able to handle issues rationally so expect adaptability to play a factor in talent retention.

And since we’re on the subject of employees, lets end with a discussion as to why your staff is your number one tool to a prosperous 2021. Smart hires have never been more important, both in avoiding high turnover as well as cultivating a company culture that encourages effective problem-solving. The employee pool may be a little full at the moment but that doesn’t make it any less important to build strong relationships with workers. For example, reviewing pay equity in payroll. Strong company cultures attract strong candidates. And remember that employees are also under significant stress, likely juggling intense obligations at home with being productive at work. We’ll discuss employee engagement in a future blog, but do consider the ways in which company protocols can better support work/life balance.

Hopefully these suggestions has spurred some creative planning for a successful 2021! We wish you all a very prosperous year ahead and invite you to reach out to us and learn how Eos HR can help you meet your HR goals in the new year. We’re a team of HR professionals helping small businesses navigate the multitude of recent changes to labor laws. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more.

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