As we swiftly head toward the end of the year it’s worth thinking, planning and acting on what still needs doing and making sure that your all set for the holiday season and to set up the year ahead.
Contact & catch up: The end of the year and the start of the New Year is a very good time to catch up with certain customers, clients, contacts and suppliers. It can be good both in terms of thanking, relaxing, celebrating but also in terms of setting up new opportunities for the New Year. Who should you drop a line to meet?
Clear the decks & clear up: Take 10 minutes to draw up a list of the essential management, finance, marketing and operational tasks that need to be competed by the end of the year and when. It’s worth doing now so you’re not caught on the hop pre or post Christmas. Once you’ve cleared the decks the time just before Christmas or between Christmas and New Year is the ideal to clear out your desk, office, files, cupboards, emails and get all your stock and systems organized.
Cards and thanks: Do you or should you send Christmas cards, messages, gifts, e-cards etc – or any special offers? It’s a very key part of how many businesses thank their customers, contacts and suppliers and can be a powerful way to build loyalty, be in mind throughout the year and consolidate and build relationships. What works well for you? Of course if you tend to have far more elaborate meetings, lunches parties, receptions then you may well have had this sorted some time back. It may well be the case that this may spark ideas of things you could do in 2015 or this time next year.
Christmas cover: What are your working – and holiday arrangements for the Christmas and New Year period? Who do you need to inform and when? What kinds of support might you need from your own suppliers and what are their arrangements. If you don’t know now is the time to find out.
Celebrate: The chances are that you’ve worked hard all year. Take a little time to note of all your achievements this year and all that you’ve learned. Be sure to thank everyone involved in you business and take time to relax, re-charge and to celebrate.
Wishing you all the best for the festive season and the year ahead.
