Guest post by Emma Grace Brown
Preparing your business for the holidays can be a major undertaking. No matter how big or small, it takes a lot of work to get a business ready for a rush of customers, from creating a schedule that works for every employee to making sure you have enough stock and supplies.
There’s also marketing to think about, as your competition will likely be having sales and special events for the holidays to attract new business. Staying in demand can be tough even during the best of times, which makes holiday prep work stressful. If you don’t yet have a logo, it’s a good idea to design one ASAP, as an eye-catching logo quickly identifies you and your company’s message to the world. For those who struggle with graphic design there’s no reason to worry, as software like that from Adobe can help with a free logo maker online that comes chock-full of engaging and editable templates to choose from.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to prepare for the coming holidays and prevent any nasty surprises at the worst possible time. Decorating, figuring out a strategy for the busiest hours, and working out a schedule that accommodates everyone while ensuring that your business is well covered are three main components, so start with one of these. Make a list of all the things you want to accomplish so you can stay organized, as this can reduce stress for you.
Keep reading for some great tips from FashionCorner on how to get started.
Get Organized
Getting organized is essential in keeping stress at bay; few things are worse than trying to get through a busy season with disarray all around you.
If you start early enough with your planning, you can begin with small things — HGTV suggests making sure your desk is neat and wrapping up smaller tasks to get them out of the way — and then move on to the big things, like making out a schedule and figuring out your holiday hours. Keeping everything tidy will not only help reduce stress, but it will also allow everyone to stay on track and keep communication open.
Decorating
PowerHomeBiz.com notes that decorating your business for the holidays isn’t just a great way to stay focused on the season; it’s also a wonderful way to bond with your customers a bit. Many consumers enjoy seeing businesses show their holiday spirit, and they may be more inclined to shop longer and engage more with your employees if they see lots of fun decor.
If you run a brick-and-mortar business with plenty of facetime with customers, you’ll want to look and feel your best to make a lasting impression, so decorate you and your employees as well. You could experiment with fun holiday trends like wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, wearing colorful (think: red, silver, gold) makeup, nail treatments, and accessories. The shopping season should be festive, after all!
Come Up with a Game Plan
Look back at last year’s sales numbers to figure out what you should expect when it comes to setting up a schedule. If your business is new, talk to other local business owners to get an idea of what they’re expecting. You might consider hiring temporary help for the next couple of months; set up a holiday open interview where several people can come at once and show you what they have to offer. Outsourcing a pro that specializes in email marketing services, for example, will ensure you have an ongoing email campaign that helps generate business throughout the holiday season.
You’ll have more success hiring and attracting workers when you stay involved and engaged and create a positive working environment. Having a good game plan is essential when it comes to preparing for a busy season, and it will give you peace of mind to know that you have extra help.
Train Your Employees
It’s possible that even employees who have been with you for a while could use a little brush-up on their training before the holiday rush. Hold a few sessions after business hours that will help your employees — both old and new — get motivated for the season. When they feel completely comfortable with their training, they’ll be much better able to handle stress, which will alleviate any turnover issues you might be anticipating.
Preparing your small business for the holidays can become overwhelming if you don’t have a good plan. Start early, start small, and stay organized. And keep communication open with your employees so that everyone feels comfortable and happy, even when you’re at your busiest.