Rain can be a headache during the busy season. But with the right planning, rain days can be productive, even when your team isn’t working in the field.
Tasks for a Rainy Day
One way to keep your employees busy on a rainy day is equipment maintenance. Whether it’s a routine oil change or sharpening tools, the rain gives you time to attend to equipment needs. Washing equipment is also a good way to stay productive. If you have new hires, use this opportunity to train them on equipment that is less familiar to them.
Additionally, use this time for any other professional development that can help the team. It may be topics you’ve wanted to cover for a while or something your employees have expressed interest in learning.
Errands are also a good way to keep employees busy. As you scan that to-do list, there’s a good chance something needs buying from a store or supplier. Plus, your employees can pick up other supplies that may be needed at the shop. If you’re running low on certain supplies, use that time to double-check your inventory and place another order if needed.
If you’re holding plants for a job, they might benefit from some extra attention. Removing dead leaves or branches that aren’t healthy can make the planting process more efficient in the future.
Continuous Improvement
Does your company have a suggestion box? Rainy days are great for utilizing those ideas. An example could be an improved tracking system in the trucks or a better way to store supplies in the shop. Putting the feedback into practice also shows you’re open to feedback and seeking ways to improve.
Finding the time to clean is often a challenge, so use rainy days to clean and organize. While the shop is one area to focus on, the trucks and trailers should also be inspected and restocked with supplies.
Many companies have a checklist of what is needed in each truck and trailer. And if you don’t have one, rain days are the perfect time to create one. The list should include every tool and the contents of each toolbox in all the vehicles. Checking these lists periodically goes a long way to keep everything in order and where it belongs.
A rain day can give you a head start on upcoming projects that need extra attention. Maybe it’s a holiday light display or stopping at a client’s property to take measurements for a future project. These days are great for working on special requests that might be overlooked on busier days. Rain days can also help you catch up on office work that needs to be done, like billing and invoicing.
Some rain events may allow for limited field work, so consider tasks that can be done in the field if possible. Since each rain event is different, it’s important to have a clear policy and communication system so your employees know what to expect when the rain falls.
