Is Your Business Holiday-Ready?
With the holiday season just around the corner, it’s time to start looking ahead and ironing out the details of what’s to come. You want to meet and exceed expectations, both for your clients and your staff, as you navigate a fun but hectic season. It’s better to be overly prepared than slightly underprepared – it really makes all the difference, especially as we look ahead to 2024.
Here’s my guide to help business owners stay one step ahead so you can enjoy the festivities!
Get familiar with your upcoming event schedule
The holidays don’t typically go hand-in-hand with a slower event season – in fact, this is one of the busiest times of the year for most. You likely already have a system in place to take inventory of your upcoming events and client projects, but it’s much trickier when you have pending staff PTO and your own time off to take into consideration.
Make sure you sit down well in advance and make sure everything is lined up for your schedule in the months ahead. Clients and vendors may also be harder to get in touch with around this time, so if there are deadlines on the horizon, it’s best to communicate those (even if their event is technically happening in the new year). Establish any expectations now, as opposed to putting anything off until the last minute.
Make sure everyone is in the loop on holiday time
On that note, it’s incredibly important to have a handle on everyone’s holiday schedules. Sending something out in mid-November at the latest could be helpful in order to fill in the blanks on your calendar. A quick email to clients can not only allow you to share your predicted time off but theirs as well. Consider putting your own OOO (out-of-office) days in your email signature so it can be easily accessed.
I also strongly recommend being proactive with your staff’s holiday time, which will give you a better hold on what your headcount will look like for any end-of-year parties, events, or internal planning for 2024. Keeping these conversations open can ensure that everyone’s keeping a healthy work-life balance, and it gives you an opportunity to poll for any potential scheduling conflicts.
Map out your return
Not only do you need to forecast your schedule leading up to your holiday events and time away, but it’s a great idea to take a look at what’s needed when you return. For many people, this will be early to mid-January.
So, ask yourself: what does January look like? If you’re like me and you’re jumping back in with events, you may need a bit of a cushion to get back into the swing of things. Keep this in mind when you’re setting your holiday schedule with family and friends. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the celebrations, but set a hard return date if you have a lot on your plate. Even if that extra day means tackling your inbox or having a goal-setting day for 2024, it can make a world of difference!
Too many business owners discount the preparation that goes into the holiday season, and it can lead to some confusion or hiccups if your clients, vendors, and staff alike aren’t on the same page. Being holiday-ready isn’t just about decking the halls, it’s about prioritizing everything that can help your business run smoothly and reap long-term benefits.
Photos by Melody Melikian
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