Your holiday planning to do list should also include a checklist for your business. Here are a few tips that will help you with business holiday planning:
- Make sure your customer list is up-to-date. Having an updated list will make addressing holiday cards a snap.
- Decide if you will be sending Thanksgiving or Christmas cards this year. Sending Thanksgiving cards can make you stand out and so would a donation on behalf of your client/customer to a local food bank. Whichever you decide, sending a card snail mail- even with the increased cost in postage- is a nice tradition. You might even want to send cards to your vendors as well.
- Decide if you will be sending gifts to your clients/customers. It might be too late (especially for an engraved gift) for this year, but there are many vendors who are willing to help make it happen if you decide today.
- Decide if you will be open during the holidays or not. If you plan on taking some time away from the office during the holidays make sure your customers are aware of this in advance. Determine if you want to set up on out-of-office response for your voicemail and/or email. Also determine how many times you will check voicemail and/or email while you are off and stick to it.
- Remember not everyone celebrates Christmas so be sensitive in your selection of cards, gifts or overall messaging. If you know a particular client celebrates a different holiday, make a note of it and send them a personalized greeting at the appropriate time of year.
- Don’t forget to take take some time for you as well. Plan for your personal shopping and errands so you aren’t running around frantic at the last minute or battling for the last turkey or ham in the store.
Here’s to a stress-free, healthy and happy holiday season for you and your business.