It’s almost that time, guys. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, what a bloody year it’s been! Whether you’re shutting up shop for the summer or working through, you’ll still need to make a plan to get your business through the holiday period. We’ve put together some pointers to help you out!

Chat with your suppliers
Maybe your regular suppliers are closing down for a bit, or maybe they’re not. Make sure you know exactly what’s happening with them so you can plan. If you’re continuing to work through, you might need to use a different supplier if your usual is closed.

Get outstanding payments sorted
Clients can sometimes go AWOL over the holiday period. This is kind of understandable if they’re going away, but if you need to get paid, you need to get paid. Make sure to follow up all outstanding invoices so they get paid this side of Christmas before the holiday brain sets in.

Sort out your staff
Even if you’re working through, you’ll need to figure out which of your team you need and when. Some might be taking leave, and some might be waiting until later. Put a schedule in place so you can make sure you’re covered on all your jobs. If you’re closing down, let your team know the dates, and what they can expect in terms of getting paid.

Say no where you need to
If a job comes up that ‘needs to be done by Christmas’, seriously consider saying no. You might need the cash after everything that’s happened this year, but you don’t want to rush it. It’ll just add to the stress of you and your team, and if there are complications, you’ll feel the pressure even more. Don’t be afraid to say no if it doesn’t seem worth it.

Host a killer Christmas party
This is the one thing most of us are looking forward to during this time. Everyone is going to want to let their hair down after this year, so plan something fun and low-stress. Show your team you appreciate all of their hard work. You can also claim back half of the cost of this in your business expenses so that’s a bonus!