Marketing plans are built around many components, not the least of which is a balanced workforce. All the people who work, volunteer, partner, consult or connect with your business in any way can be considered a part of your human resources. When your workforce is in balance and operating smoothly, marketing is easier to plan for, adapt and change as necessary.

It is wise to review your workforce as a whole at least once a year and more often if possible. As employees and others enter or leave your workforce, changes can disrupt operations and necessitate corrections to balance out your overall operation. If you are prepared for these challenges, you can respond quicker and with thoughtful strategies.

You can begin the process by charting out all your human resources connections and what duties or affiliations they represent to your business. Employees will have job descriptions and others may have written support statements which reflect their role in your business plan. These definitions are essential in establishing how all the pieces of your operation fit together. Do not forget about family members who may assist at various times throughout the year. Their contributions should be noted and considered within your workforce balance.

Workforce reviews often show where new training would prove beneficial, jobs could be consolidated or expanded and a host of other issues that may require changes in the future. This relies on good communications and feedback among all of your workforce members. As an added benefit, you may discover talents within your work force not utilized previously.

Small and family-run operations may assume that a handful of employees and outside contacts know and remain responsible for their duties. Then are job descriptions and reviews really necessary? The answer is yes – life happens! Changes could come swiftly and disrupt even the best organization.

How does a balanced workforce support marketing? Observe your operation in its many facets. Workforce displacement in any area can hold up production, change wholesale and retail commitments and stall new sales strategies. Conversely, a balanced workforce can adapt and persevere though difficult times. Marketing plans depend on steady production and established commodity outputs. Disruptions along this chain can prove costly in terms of reduced sales and future contracts.

Taking the time to establish and review workforce issues may seem like a “back burner” duty in an otherwise full schedule. The implications of challenges within your workforce, however, can seriously affect your return on investment and diminish your success in the marketplace. Marketing achievements are based on an overall sound operation, and a balanced workforce is an important factor to consider.

The above information is presented for educational purposes and should not be substituted for professional business counseling.