The holiday season is all about getting together with loved ones, and finding some time to kick back a little and reflect on the year that’s passed.
While everyone hopes to relax and rejoice as the year comes to a close, all too often business owners find this time of year to be a manic flurry of seasonal promotions and marketing, forward planning, and insane hours. The sum total of the experience is often exhausting rather than refreshing.
But it can be different for you with a little planning.
Prep now, chill later
As long as this isn’t your first time at the entrepreneurship rodeo, you probably have a good idea what’s coming. Whether you experience the holiday period as a lull or utter lunacy, the key to carving out the time and headspace you need to actually celebrate the season is to think ahead.
Manage Budget Chaos
Folks’ finances tend to go a bit crazy over the holiday. For some business owners that can mean a seasonal cash flow headache as clients take longer to pay (or stay away entirely) and holiday expenses add up.
Send out holiday cards
The holidays are also a great time to drop a note to your clients — not just to wish them well during the festive season, but also to remind them what you’ve been up to, keep them in the loop about any discounts or offers you have going, or even gently nudge them to please pay you!
Inc.