Top tips on how to prepare for the festive season

Top tips on how to prepare for the festive season

By James Harford-Tyrer, Founder of Cudoni

The holiday season is a busy one for any start-up founder or entrepreneur in the retail industry; there are more customers to please in December than any other time of the year. Combine this increased demand with staff heading home to spend time with their families, and you're in for an interesting month. That is, unless you're prepared.

These are some top tips on how to make the festive season a success for your business.

1. Preparation

Consider how December will impact on your business and prepare for it. By putting a detailed plan in place, the business can easily absorb an increased workload. In fact, your team members may learn organisational tactics to arm themselves with for January and beyond.

2. The Simple Things

There are fantastically simple solutions that can limit and prevent small oversights. For instance, remind all your team members to turn on their out-of-office signature, and check what automatic settings are available for the technology systems that your business utilises. By harnessing the power of automation, simple tasks can be cleared and the load easily lightened.

3. Schedule Your Time

Properly balancing a busy schedule is dependent on a schedule existing in the first place. In other words - schedule your time. If you know you’re going to need a few hours to answer emails and make calls, wake up early. A protected time schedule gives both your customers, and your family, the undivided attention they deserve.

4. 'Do Not Disturb'

To prevent you from the temptation of checking emails during the important Christmas dinner, utilise the 'Do Not Disturb' function on your phone - if even for an hour. 

5. Join The Festive Cheer

The joy of winter only comes around once a year. Bring the festive cheer into the office, so that everyone can share in on the fun. Put up decorations, bring in some snacks, and put on Bublé in the background. A happy office will benefit your team and increase productivity.

If done properly, the rush of December will improve teamwork and the your customers' experience of your business.