Have you set yourself a challenge to get organised this year? In such uncertain times, it seems sensible to plan ahead, the thought of last minute preparations are too much to comprehend.

It’s an exciting time of year, but what does it mean for your business? For some, it’s a really busy time with increased orders and extra projects as others are trying to clear their desks before the end of the year. For others, it’s a quiet time which can be used for planning and preparing for the following year. Whatever your plans for the festive period this guide will help you organise your business for Christmas.

Cards and gifts

Do you send cards and gifts to your clients or staff? Avoid a last-minute rush and organise this now. A card or small gift with your branding is the perfect way to thank a client for their business or remind them what you do. Unless you have a large budget it is best to keep the gift light-hearted and fun…some personalised chocolates or office stationery always gone down a treat.

When deciding when to send, be aware that a many people will begin winding down from work the week before Christmas. To guarantee delivery aim for the second week of December.

Remember, the Royal Mail last posting dates for Christmas 2020 are: Friday, 18 December for second class mail. Monday, 21 December for first class mail and Wednesday, 23 December for special delivery.

Christmas party

This is likely to look a little different than normal this year but there are some great virtual options to explore. Check out my post about the alternative Christmas party.

Social media

It’s a great time of year to have fun and let your personality shine through. Plan now, so that you have time to create a strategy and goals as well as innovative content to increase engagement. There are plenty of ways to incorporate the festive season into your message…an advent calendar with a different treat each day, a festive competition or depending on your industry, top tips that people can incorporate into their own Christmas.

Take some time off

If you’re planning to take a bit of time off, now is the time to start preparing. If relevant, give your clients as much notice as possible so they can plan to be without you. Clean up your email inbox so that you don’t return to an overwhelming number of emails. Schedule your social media so that you don’t lose visibility. You don’t have to do this all yourself, think about outsourcing some tasks now so that you can put your out of office on knowing that you have everything under control.

Planning and goals for the New Year

Finally, don’t finish for the year without finalising your goals and plans for the following year. It feels so much better returning to work feeling refreshed and motivated for what’s to come rather than a bit lost as to what to tackle first.

Still feel totally overwhelmed by it all, take a look at my website, and see how we can work together to make this Christmas and New Year the best yet!