The holiday season can be a mixed bag for many of us. When you mix the excitement of celebrating, family time, and seasonal sales activity, with long days, even longer nights, and general stress over inventory and customer satisfaction, it can take a toll on anyone.
Just remember: you have planned for this! Your business plan is robust, and hopefully you have methodically evaluated it every quarter ensuring you are on track, you have built seasonal inventory, hired staff, you are ready.
Why, then, are we overwhelmed? I believe it is due to a month that is 31 days long, but feels like it could be the shortest month of the year, where every day is planned and sometimes overplanned.
In evaluating this holiday season, I began searching for a clear list of what a business should be focused on at this time of year. Calendar.com’s 12 Days of Business Success is a good list that made a lot of sense to me.
12 Days of Business Success
- Set Goals: Make them measurable, specific, and achievable. You can even use last year's goals and accomplishments as your template, and set a new goal for December 2025.
- Plan Ahead: This is what you have been doing all year long. You have most likely implemented your seasonal sales strategy already, so stick to it.
- Christmas shop for yourself (your business) EARLY: Don’t wait, get started ahead of time and that will leave the rest of the time for you to enjoy your business and all the holiday cheer.
- Be Safe: No one wants to get sick this time of year. Make sure to take the necessary precautions, stay home if you are sick, and encourage your staff to as well.
- Give Back: This time of year makes us all sentimental and is a great time to help your community, celebrate your staff, or help a local charity.
- Seasonal Staff: You are probably doing this already, but what a great reminder to make sure you have extra team members in case of illness, family responsibilities and, of course, a lot of shoppers.
- Use Slow Days: Have a list of things to do for your business that you can tackle when a day is slow this season. That way, you get projects done before the new year starts.
- Stick to Your Budget: Don't go crazy on marketing expenses, inventory or other business related expenses. Stick to your budget, you have planned and you know what is needed!
- Holiday Themed Marketing: This is a perfect time to make sure your marketing is holiday themed. Get expert help if needed, as customers will be looking at your advertisements and getting into the holiday mood!
- Check your Website: Make sure it is ready for heavier than normal traffic as folks will be looking for gifts.
- Trends: take holiday trends into consideration with your decorating and marketing. This could help attract more business.
- Take Care of your Team: set aside time to thank your team members and to have a special celebration for them! They helped get you here… and they will love the appreciation.
Enjoy December and this wonderful holiday season. We wish you great success with your business!
Thank you for being a Colorado Proud member,
Barb Howe
