Now that Autumn has arrived, the holidays can’t be far behind. In other words, things are going to get hectic soon, which means now is the time to start preparing your business for the 2019 holiday season. Depending on the size of your business, you might personally handle these tasks, but it’s a good idea to delegate where appropriate. First, it will give you more time, and second, it will provide important experience for your key employees. Without further ado:
1. Stock Up on Supplies
Now is the time to review the supply orders you placed before the holidays last year. Some supplies are bedrock basic. For example, your public bathrooms will probably see increased traffic, so make sure you order plenty of paper towels, liquid soap, and toilet paper. If you operate a store, you also need to order a sufficient number of store gift cards and gift wrap to handle demand. If 2019 is your first year in business, network with other businesses to pick up important pointers. The bottom line is to order early and avoid expensive rush shipping later. Your customers will appreciate it when you can see to their needs in a seemingly effortless way.
2. Purchase Extra Inventory
If you are a manufacturer, anticipate higher product demand. That means ordering more inputs from your vendors, scheduling extra production, and possibly hiring extra workers. If necessary, reserve extra warehouse space and additional transportation resources. If you are a merchandiser, you need to get your orders in early enough to have holiday goods in place when needed. Don’t forget, your suppliers are also under pressure, and they will be grateful for early orders. In any event, understand your suppliers’ required lead times and make sure you place orders before it’s too late.
3. Schedule Holiday Hours
If you are a retailer, you may plan extended hours for the holidays. On the other hand, if you are a mom-and-pop business, perhaps you’ll be closing down for a few days over the holidays. You will need to finalize your holiday schedule and notify staff of any changes that affect them. Ask your employees to request holiday time off before a set date and encourage them to be available during the busiest days. Line up extra staff if necessary, and don’t forget to let your customers know about any special hours.
4. Plan Your Decorations
Let’s face it, customers expect holiday decorations, hokey or not. Even if you operate out of an office, your employees will expect a nod to the holiday spirit. Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive, especially if you treat it as a team-building exercise. On the other hand, some retail stores will require extensive redecorating, which means early planning and ordering. While decorating, take the opportunity to do a little cleaning and polishing of those out-of-the-way areas.
5. Get Busy on the Web
Just like decorating your physical premises, your website might also benefit from a holiday makeover. First check the basics — is it easy to read, navigate, and place orders? Can you easily add a few images of candy canes or reindeer? Next, review your pages on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc., and make sure they are up to date, If blogging is a regular part of your social presence, get your topics ready and, if you are too busy to personally pen your own articles, engage a professional freelance writer to prepare holiday-oriented content.
6. Check Your Budget
All these holiday preparations can get expensive, putting pressure on your working capital. You should carefully estimate your cash needs between now and the new year and predict any shortfalls. If you find yourself in a bit of a cash crush, contact us at IOU Financial. We can arrange business loans quickly and conveniently, with a minimum of paperwork or hassle. And from all of us, best wishes for the happiest of holidays!