With fall officially here, the busy holiday season is on the horizon. Lots of businesses, big and small, rely on these last few months of the year to make their sales goals, close gaps in their earnings, and boost their bottom line.
Whether it’s your first year in business or you’re a seasoned veteran, it’s a good idea to think ahead and come up with a plan on how you’re going to tackle the busy season ahead. With that in mind, we’ve got a few ideas to help point you in the right direction, regardless of what kind of business you’re in.
Hire Good Help
First and foremost, few things impact your business more than the faces that greet your customers. If you’re a retailer, having a fast, friendly face at the register can help put holiday shoppers at ease. Running a restaurant? Bringing on experienced, motivated servers that will attend to your guests with care can help keep things running smoothly.
No matter what kind of business you have, the members of your team that interact with your customers and clients are among the most important. Giving them the attention they deserve – from hiring to training, and beyond – ensures that you won’t wind up with a mistake that can ruin your whole holiday season.
Plan Your Promotions
Of course, having good help is essential – but it’s also critical for your employees to have something to do. Planning smart promotions for the season is a great way to bring in additional customers, which will give your new team work to do and boost your sales to compensate for the extra payroll hours.
One of the best ways to promote your small business during the holiday season? Small Business Saturday. This annual celebration founded by American Express is a special day to commemorate the importance of small businesses in our communities nationwide, so be sure to take advantage by registering as a participating business and using the promotional materials you receive.
Don’t Forget The Mission
When things speed up during the holiday season, it can be easy to lose sight of the small details. But keeping an eye on the reasons your business exists in the first place – your mission, your values, and your philosophy – are critical, even when you’re slammed with customer after customer. Staying true to your mission is what separates small businesses from big corporations – so be sure you don’t forget why you went into business to begin with!
