Start Smart in 26 – Why January Is the Time to Get Resourcing Right

January has a funny reputation in business.

For some, it’s a slow reset. For others, it’s a mad scramble to kick things off. But in reality, January is one of the smartest times of year to step back and think properly about resourcing — before the pressure, panic and February hiring rush set in.

If growth, change or simply “doing more with what you’ve got” is on your 2026 agenda, the decisions you make now will shape how smoothly the year unfolds.

January is for planning, not firefighting

By February, the market changes.
Job ads go live in volume, inboxes fill up, diaries clog and decision-making slows. Good candidates get snapped up quickly — often before roles are fully defined.

Starting your thinking in January gives you space to:

• Sense-check what capacity you actually need
• Design roles around outcomes, not assumptions
• Explore flexible options without time pressure
• Move quickly when you’re ready to hire

In short, you avoid reacting later — and make better choices earlier.

1. Rethinking “the role” is where the magic happens

One of the biggest mistakes we see is defaulting to a full-time hire because “that’s what we’ve always done”.

But many businesses don’t need another full-time salary — they need:

• Senior expertise for part of the week
• Extra hands during growth phases
• Specialist skills for a defined project
• Leadership without long-term overhead

Part-time, fractional and project-based roles allow you to dial capability up or down, without committing to more than you need. Done well, they can unlock experience that simply wouldn’t be available in a traditional full-time model.

2. Cutting costs doesn’t have to mean cutting capability

Budget pressure is real — especially for SMEs. But reducing spend doesn’t mean lowering the bar.

Flexible resourcing gives access to highly experienced professionals who choose to work this way. Many bring:

• Years of senior-level experience
• Commercial maturity and confidence
• A strong focus on impact and delivery
• Loyalty to roles that fit their lives properly

It’s one of the most effective ways to protect budget while raising the quality of talent around the table.

3. Beat the February recruitment rush

Every year, we see the same pattern: roles signed off late January, searches launched mid-February… and suddenly everything takes longer.

Starting now means:

• Less competition for top candidates
• More time to shape the brief properly
• Faster shortlists once you’re ready
• A calmer, more considered hiring process

It’s not about rushing — it’s about being ready.

4. Let someone else do the heavy lifting

Recruitment has a habit of sitting on the to-do list, quietly causing stress.

From briefing and role design to sourcing, screening and shortlisting, a good recruitment partner removes the noise and the admin — while protecting candidate experience and your employer brand.

At Ten2Two, we work closely with clients to design flexible roles that actually work, then connect them with experienced professionals who want to make a real impact.

5. Start smart, not scrambled

If recruitment is on your list for 2026 — whether that’s one role or several — January is the moment to get ahead.

A short conversation now can save time, money and energy later.

👉 Book a January discovery call with the Ten2Two team and start your year strong.