CHRISTMAS IS NOT A HOLIDAY
TOP TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PLANNING
In the heady (and rather distant!) days when I was an employee I really looked forward to the Christmas period. Closing my office door and not having to think about anything work related until early January was a real treat.
When my business partner and I opened our first business I can tell you Christmas that year was a wake-up call with a difference. We scrambled our way through December fulfilling orders which clients wanted to complete that year, knowing we had a whole host of stuff which needed doing for our own (then somewhat neglected) business.
Wake Up Calls
The fact is Christmas was a big wake-up call that year. Whilst we did manage Christmas Day off (although I have a sneaking suspicion my business partner’s gift of a planner was rather tongue in cheek) it was non-stop otherwise. We soon realised for small business owners and sole traders it’s such a great opportunity to work on your business while many business clients/customers are too busy enjoying Christmas to need you.
New Year Resolutions Old Year Baggage Removal
It won’t come as any surprise that because January marks the beginning of a New Year, December is a brilliant time for planning your business. We’re all naturally reflective at this time of year and tend to have those “OMG” moments when we realise we haven’t achieved what we wanted to or somehow we have gone “off-piste” with our plans. Even if we are happy with what’s happened during the year there is always room for improvement.
Focus
However, this is not the time to drown our sorrows in egg-nog because it’s the time for every small business owner to have a few peaceful days to get their finger on the pulse for the year ahead. I’m not saying you should sit at your computer with a turkey leg in one hand tapping away for the whole of the holidays, but I do think that when you are probably naturally less busy with clients it’s a perfect time to devote some “me” time to your business.
For some of us, it can also be the perfect time to start or at least plan to start a new business, perhaps a home business. There is a feeling of “if not now when?” which can be very motivating and inspiring.
For added motivation, now is time to treat yourself to a business master class – make your present to yourself the wisdom of someone who can share their business knowledge with you.
Finally, another good thing about business planning at Christmas is the fact there’s always some chocolate about – unless of course your business partner is quicker at getting the best ones, as mine is!
To help you get started with your planning we’ve got a DOWN AND DIRTY BUSINESS PRE-PLANNING checklist (to help you focus on how you could improve upon the year just ending and what you really want from next year) which we’re giving away for free. Just complete your details to receive it in the box below!