How to Make the Most of Holidays with Your Customers
By James Pruitt, Senior Staff Writer
The holidays can present challenges and opportunities for Veteran Business Owners. The increased demand presents to labor and supply issues, while also significantly increasing profit margins. A seasonal workforce often must pick up the slack. Meanwhile, customer demands may skyrocket, and nerves may fray.
Various strategies can slice a bigger piece of the pie for your business.
1) Get in the Holiday Spirit for all holidays!
During the winter months, traditionally we hunker up with the hard-earned rewards of the rest of the yearly cycle. Remember to share this warmth with your workforce! They’re working extra hard especially during holiday seasons.
2) Respect Your Employees and their Additional Workload.
Seasonal workers may not always feel much warmth from employers. For some, the holidays are the season for overwork.
Respect your employees, no matter what the type of business. Mandatory “ugly Christmas sweaters” and elf costumes affront human dignity and have no place in the workplace. Furthermore, consider that the workforce may be working extra hard to meet the spikes in demand. Some workers may even work extra hard during various holiday seasons for money to last over the year.
Respect for your workforce conveys positive vibes. Remember that most customers have been employees as well.
3) Keep Holiday Décor Tasteful
Some people think many decorations including some for Christmas are “tacky.”
Well, maybe they are. As alternatives for your business, tasteful alternatives abound. For example, the “snowy” look might appeal to more discerning customers. “Traditional” holiday decorations strategically placed provide the right vibe while maintaining a professional look for the establishment. Just remember the work for the cleanup crews at the end of any holiday season.
Cornucopias and colorful artificial fruits can last from November until early January. Furthermore, consider the final cleanup for the sake of both employees and employers.
2) Remember, some people celebrate a different holidays such as Channukah or Kwanzaa
Channukah ends in early December, while Kwanzaa lasts until January. Depictions of the season’s bounty convey importance to the Kwanzaa festivities as well as Thanksgiving and the Holiday period in general.
Christmas colors are traditionally green and red. For Chanukkah, blue and white, and Kwanzaa colors are red, black, and green. The holiday season integrates diverse traditions. Winter decorations can integrate any medley of holiday baubles, so long as creative decorating brings that warm holiday cheer to your entire clientele.
3) Make Things Local
Many holiday celebrations provide chances for local communities to come together. Participation in local events might win goodwill that could liven up your business. Maybe Santa can visit. Maybe a Christmas tree needs decorating. Perhaps the Easter Bunny can help decorate eggs, etc. Regardless, presence at a local fair or festival can provide rich opportunities.
4) Holiday Promotions
Local festivities may even provide opportunities for coupon distributions and free samples. For example, raffles and contests may offer bundles of coupons as rewards. Sponsorships for entertainers and appearances may also bring attention to your business.
Online events can offer the same opportunities. Don’t forget your digital marketing skills while concentrating on the local state fair. Assuming the resources for the increased demand, remember the opportunities that each holiday season brings. When carefully planned, the increased demand can bring the opportunity to relax a little during the months afterward. Your online presence may even convey seasonal products.
5) Finally, we wish joyful holidays for you and your families and staff from VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association!
Holidays provide the opportunity to have fun while doing work. Remember to extend this holiday cheer to your employees as well as friends and family while directing this positive energy in safe directions. Don’t forget to take care of yourself during this busy season, and never grow out of the Holiday Spirit!
VAMBOA, the Veterans and Military Business Owners Association hope that this article has not only been valuable but provided some unique perspective. We work hard to bring you important, positive, helpful, and timely information and are the “go-to” online venue for Veteran and Military Business Owners. VAMBOA is a non-profit trade association. We do not charge members any dues or fees and members can also use our seal on their collateral and website. If you are not yet a member, you can register here: https://vamboa.org/member-registration/
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