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A Small Business Owner's Guide to Planning for Christmas
2 Nov 2005
It is a pretty safe bet that you have heard a phrase like this at some time - 'When you fail to plan, you plan to fail'.
The various UK rail networks have come in for some press ridicule when travel delays result from 'the wrong sort of leaves on the line' or, 'the wrong type of snow'. It seems incredible that their maintenance planners lose sight of the facts that autumn creates falling leaves and that winter brings ice and snow.
So that your business or practice is not guilty of similar sins and, at the risk of stating the obvious, Christmas is coming. It will be on December 25th and, this year, it falls on a Sunday. The time to plan is now!
Remember that, for some of your suppliers and customers, this is a time of staff party meltdown in the week before and a welter of bank holidays right through until January 3. In other words, normal service.
When you are running your own show it can be all too easy to slip into depression unless you are prepared. Unless you have a business that enjoys a boom period over Christmas, you will certainly find that customer numbers decrease and that orders may stay at a lower than average level until mid January. The key word here is average. To keep your motivation high, focus on your whole year turnover rather than on any seasonal dip.
You may not wish to shut down your operations for the whole period, but be aware that many other organisations will not return phone calls, pay bills or respond to emails as promptly as usual. Right now is the time to stock up on any business and domestic consumables.
As you can, fill your car's fuel tank to the brim and then keep it regularly topped up. There are usually a few filling stations open over the holiday period but don't count on finding one when you are driving on fumes! This may mean that your credit card will suffer plastic fatigue at a time when your monthly payments may be delayed, so settle all your bills well in advance of their due dates.
Take some time out this weekend to compile your 'To Do' list and then work through it on a systematic basis to get everything in your business up to date by Friday December 16th. This will allow you the week before Christmas to deal with any unforeseen tasks. This 'To Do' list isn't the one about planning meals, outings or presents, it concerns all the other routine stuff that fills your business hours. Remember to check your security arrangements because the criminal underclass never takes holidays.
Research and record details of emergency plumbers, electricians and other services. Many local radio stations offer a seasonal help-line for emergency repairs, but you should treat this as a last resort, not a first line of defence.
Follow these practical tips and you will be able to ease into a relaxed and enjoyable seasonal holiday break.
ENDS 515 words
Notes for Editors:
Hannah McNamara is available for telephone interview by appointment
Photo available on request
Contact details:
HRM Coaching Ltd, Delta House, 175-177 Borough High Street, London
SE1 1HR
E: hannah.mcnamara@hrmcoaching.com
W: www.hrmcoaching.com
T: 020 7939 9910
M: 07702 075421
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