Welp MagazineRunning a business can be hard. There are so many things to think about, and plans have to be changed constantly throughout the year. And that’s not even talking about managing your finances! Business finances sometimes need a helping hand too, and tools like merchant cash advances and business credit cards might be necessary to see you through. When it comes to the later part of the year, there are suddenly many more things you need to plan for as these months often bring a whole new set of problems. So, if you need help preparing your business for Fall and Winter, keep reading and discover our top tips!
Plan Your Closure Days Now
If you’re going to be closing down on any days during these months, say for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day, then you need to plan for it now. Let all your staff know beforehand to save them trying to book it off as annual leave and tell all your customers too. You might not think that anyone would be out and about on these days, but they very may well be. Have your holiday closures listed on your front door and send emails out to customers. Acting now will avoid disappointment and ensure that customers aren’t left making a wasted journey.
Make Way For Winter Stock
No doubt your stock will change during these periods too. Most businesses offer some sort of Fall or Winter promotional products, so you need to ensure that you’ve got enough room for it. Try to get rid of as much Summer stock as you can so that it’s not hanging around any longer than it needs to. You could offer Summer stock at a discounted price to help shift it and make some extra cash at the same time. Don’t wait until your Winter stock turns up to try and fit it all in, otherwise you’ll just end up with an overflowing stock room.
Prepare To Be Adaptable
One of the most important things you can do when preparing for this time of year is to be ready to be adaptable. Fall and Winter have some of the highest sickness rates, so have a plan in place should staff be off sick. You don’t want to be short staffed and struggling to cope on any of the days, so always plan labour with the worst case scenario in mind. People also tend to take a lot of holiday themselves around this time of year, so again make sure you’ve got enough staff at all times. Proactively look at who’s off and who’s not so that you can ensure you’ve not got too many people off at the same time and will have enough hands on deck to get the job done right.
Update Your Marketing
Although your current marketing may be great, if it’s not changing with the seasons, you may find yourself lost in a sea of competitors. Spend some time updating it for each different holiday that happens during these times too. You could even offer promotional discounts on certain items for the holiday periods as well, really helping you to attract new customers. You want your marketing to reflect the time of year, so don’t make the mistake of having your Summer campaign run during December!
Ensure Your Heating Works
This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many businesses are left in the cold when it gets to Fall, and they discover their heating doesn’t work. Make sure you check it over before it gets too cold and ensure that it’s working as it should be. Then if you notice anything wrong, you can get it fixed before it’s needed. You don’t want to have your customers shivering on the freezing Winter days, as you’ll just drive people away and into warmer places instead. It’s also not good for your employees to have to work in those conditions, so make sure you provide them with a safe, warm environment all year round.
Fall and Winter can be the most magical times of the year. The excitement of each holiday transforms each day into something special as it becomes part of the countdown. However, there is lots to think about when it comes to business planning, and you want to be prepared for anything that could be thrown at you. By taking on these tips, you’ll find it easier than ever, and you’ll be ready for this special time of year in no time at all!
