This month, many businesses (retail specifically) will embrace the chaos that is Black Friday. They’ll prep their teams, stock up on inventory, and settle in for the busiest shopping day of the year. While not all businesses are affected by the Black Friday that follows Thanksgiving, nearly all of them will have a “Black Friday” at some point during the year – be it for an entire season or a specific day. For example, spring for lawn and landscaping businesses, summer for pool companies, or fall for sports bars and restaurants.
Knowing when your busiest times are, and how to prepare for them, is critical to the success of your business. Here are three things to consider when planning for the seasonality of your business:
1. Know the seasonality of your business: The first step to planning for the seasonality of your business is to know your seasons! Your busiest time may not be as obvious as Black Friday for a retail store, so do some research. Look back on the last year and take note of the peaks and valleys in your revenue. Was there a particular month where you excelled or noticed that inventory was particularly low? These times are your Black Friday.
2. Prep for your Black Friday: Once you know when your peak business times occur, you can start prepping for them. Meet with your employees and train them in how to prioritize quality customer service, even during a rush. Stock up on your most popular items and take the time to organize your inventory so that restocking is quick and easy. This time of year can be stressful, but it can also be fun and exciting. Making sure you’re prepared will help everyone look forward to the season instead of dread it.
3. Plan ahead for your off season: Cash flow issues can sink a small business. Take the time to plan ahead when cash is flowing by applying for a line of credit or business loan. This will ensure you have the funds you need when cash is scarce. Telhio Credit Union offers lines of credit and business loans that will give your business the peace of mind that additional capital provides:
- Business Lines of Credit: for payroll, working capital or short-term payable obligations, as well as a revolving line of credit to finance your business.
- Small Business Association (SBA) 7a or 504 Loans: for the purchase of land and buildings as well as the expansion or conversion of existing facilities.
Telhio Credit Union is here to help your small business succeed. Contact our business representatives today at 614-225-7800, to learn more about our business services.
Telhio is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or goes to school in Franklin, Fairfield, Delaware, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, Union, Hamilton, Warren, Butler and Preble counties. Founded in 1934, originally as the credit union for the Columbus Telephone Co., Telhio is a not-for-profit financial cooperative where its members are also its owners. Driven by its philosophy that members come first, Telhio is committed to the highest standards of responsibility and conduct. Telhio offers – branching offices throughout central Ohio and nearly 4,000 shared branching locations nationwide. Additionally, Telhio credit union participates in the highest level of combined federal and private share savings insurance available, insuring deposit accounts up to $500,000.*
* Federally insured by NCUA. Additional coverage up to $250,000 provided by Excess Share Insurance Corporation, a licensed insurance company.
