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HKBuild Your Talent Depth with a Winning Bench
When you think about successful sports teams, the star players are the ones that come to mind. However, when taking a closer look, you’ll notice talented individuals were coming off the bench and stepping up when needed to win games. This is called depth, and it can also be beneficial in the workplace. As you look to create a team, building the number of skilled workers you have available can help increase productivity. Using sports as a reference, organizations can effectively develop their talent bench.
The Importance of Depth in Sports
In sports, depth refers to the number of players that can perform when called upon. While an NBA team has 15 players, only five are on the court at a given time. On an even larger scale are Football teams, whose rosters consist of 53 players, with only 11 seeing the field at a time. Despite this, the most successful teams are the ones where every player has a crucial role in winning games.
In recent Canadian history, the 2019 Toronto Raptors were an example of a team with depth at every position. Without a talented bench of players like Fred Vanvleet, Norman Powell, and Serge Ibaka, the team would not have been successful in overcoming the Golden State Warriors and winning the NBA championship. Performances like Vanvleet's 22 points off the bench in game 6 of the finals were crucial in securing the victory, providing the team with much-needed scoring and defensive tenacity in critical moments.
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Transitioning to the Workplace
Just as sports teams rely on their bench players to step up when needed, organizations can benefit from having a deep roster of talent. This comparison is particularly true when considering the role of temporary workers in the workplace. These individuals fill an immediate need, coming off the sidelines to contribute by filling critical roles, elevating productivity and supplementing your permanent workforce during times of transition or peak demand. By having a well-rounded team that includes a bench of temporary staff, organizations ensure they are prepared for any challenges that arise.
Building Your Bench in the Workplace
To get the most out of temporary staffing, it is important to note that a strong talent pool is just one aspect of building your bench. There are many strategies workplaces can use to help support these workers and maximize their potential within your team. Here are a few key points to consider:
Identify the Skills and Abilities Needed:Before looking for temporary workers, assess the specific skills and abilities that are missing from your team. This ensures you are bringing in capable workers who complement the dynamics of your existing team members, creating balance. Making use of tools like skills assessments and talent audits can help identify gaps and match workers to roles effectively.
Create a Clear Onboarding Plan: Your organization should have a well-defined onboarding plan for temporary workers. This consists of communicating workplace safety, company policies, and performance standards. In addition, be sure to let your current staff know that a new worker will be joining them and encourage them to provide support. Doing so will allow temporary staff to quickly integrate and feel more comfortable contributing.
Integrate Temporary Workers into Team Culture: A positive team and workplace culture is a major motivating factor for workers. In fact, a report from Glassdoor found that 77% of employees consider a company’s culture before applying for a job. Temporary workers should feel like they are part of the team from the onset. By creating a welcoming environment, encouraging collaboration, and including them in activities you can ensure that workers are motivated to give their best performance.
Train and Support Talent: Support does not end when an employee is onboard. Providing ongoing training and support is crucial to maximize the potential of new team members. Providing access to resources, on-the-job training, and regular feedback, can help individuals develop their skills and contribute more effectively during their time with a company, even if it is short.
Work with a Staffing Agency: Partnering with an agency can be a game-changer when looking to build depth in your workforce. At Drake International, we have extensive experience recruiting temporary workers across many industries, including finance, customer service, logistics, warehousing, and more. Our clients benefit from the expertise of our recruitment professionals, who work tirelessly to match your organization with skilled candidates who fit your team’s culture, needs, and objectives, ensuring a seamless transition.
Even if sports are not of interest to you, there are many valuable lessons you can take away from how organizations build their teams. By applying a strategic mindset, and considering the points above, you can create a bench of workers that is ready to take on any challenge in the workplace. If you’re interested in learning how Drake International can help you score big with top temporary workers, fill out our staffing order form today! Together, we can build a team that delivers results.
