Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it’s generally a time when things wind down and people take a break. It’s also a time when many businesses send cards and gifts to their clients to thank them for their business during the year. Then on top of all that, it’s the time for end of year staff parties and client functions. To avoid getting overwhelmed by the sheer number of things to do in the next month here are 4 things to do now to prepare for the holiday season
Post your cards and gifts
If you send cards and/or gifts to your clients, now is the time to get them sorted. You don’t want cards and gifts arriving after the holidays, nor do you want your gifts sitting around over the break because the recipient is away. Now is a great time to get your cards in the mail so there is plenty of time for them to be delivered and displayed at the recipients workplace. It’s also the time to start selecting and organising delivery for the gifts you want to send out so that everything is received in plenty of time. Particularly so this year when postage delays and stock shortages will impact delivery time-frames.
Make sure you give plenty of notice about holidays
Let your customers know about your holiday plans well in advance. If you’ll be closed over the break, make sure you advertise it everywhere. Some ideas on where you should note your changed hours:
- On your email signature block
- On your social media profiles (either on your banner images or on a pinned “Happy Holidays” post)
- In your newsletter
- On your website in a prominent position
- If you have any customers who might be severely impacted by your closure, a quick phone call is in order
Update your social media profiles
Now is also the time to update your social media profiles with seasonal messages and information. Make sure you include things like changes to your hours over the holiday season, information about business closures during the break. You can also add a seasonal message such as “Merry Christmas”, “Happy Holidays” or “Thanks for your support this year” depending on your beliefs regarding this time of year. You can also add an image like a sprig of holly, Christmas tree or Santa hat to your profile pictures or cover images. Whatever you do, now is also the time to put a note in your task list to remove the messages and decorations on your first day back. Nothing says “I don’t pay attention to my social media” as quickly as Christmas decorations still showing in May.
Plan your staffing rosters to cover Xmas parties and holidays
Every business will have issues around staffing levels over the holiday period. If you’re shutting altogether you probably won’t have big issues. As long as you let your customers know in plenty of time. If you’re planning on staying open you’ll probably have a few more issues. Some things to keep in mind as you’re planning your staffing include:
- Does business traditionally pick up or get quiet over the holiday period?
- Do the same people end up working holidays every year? If so, are they OK with that?
- Don’t forget to plan relief staffing for the staff Christmas party if it’s being held during business hours
- Can you use temps or outsource work to allow for more staff absences?
- Will your business give additional days off to cover gaps between public holidays and days your business is open?
Get a handle on these issues sooner rather than later to make the holiday season runs a lot more smoothly.
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