As a small business owner, the holiday season is not only a time to relax but also an ideal opportunity to prepare for the upcoming year. With just one hour and one action each day, you can take meaningful steps that will set your business up for a smoother and more successful 2025. During this busy time, having a clear, structured plan is key to maximising your downtime—and it doesn’t have to be overwhelming!
On Thursday, 12th December at 1:15 pm, I’ll be hosting a 30-minute workshop on LinkedIn, where I’ll share my Top 12 Actions to boost your business over the break, with tasks focused on time management, marketing, accounting, and customer relationships. Below, I’m giving you a sneak peek at the first three actions on the list. Each takes less than an hour but makes a big impact on your business’s readiness for the new year.
Action 1: Audit Your Digital Presence (Marketing)
When was the last time you looked at your website and social media profiles through the eyes of a potential customer? A fresh look at your online presence can reveal easy tweaks that improve both credibility and user experience. Here’s what to focus on:
- Contact Information: Make sure your phone number, email, and location are up-to-date across all platforms.
- Links and Functionality: Test links, check that forms are working, and ensure your website loads quickly and is mobile-friendly.
- Brand Consistency: Update outdated images, descriptions, or banners that no longer match your brand.
A quick digital audit can help you avoid missed opportunities and make a solid impression when potential customers are searching online.
Action 2: Organise Your Finances (Accounting)
Organising your finances may not be the most glamorous task, but it’s essential for peace of mind and efficiency. Spend an hour going through your income, expenses, and invoices for the past year:
- Categorise Expenses: Identify where you’re spending the most. Knowing your main expenses can help you plan smarter budgets.
- Reconcile Invoices and Receipts: Ensure all payments are recorded and up-to-date. Late invoices? Now’s the time to follow up!
- Consider Simple Tools: If you’re not already using accounting software, this is a great moment to explore options to streamline your financials for next year. Ask others which software they use and whether they would recommend it.
A bit of time spent on financial organisation now means less stress during tax season and a clearer view of your business’s financial health.
Action 3: Identify Your Top 3 Business Goals for 2025 (Planning)
Goal-setting is a powerful tool for growth, but many small business owners skip this crucial step. Rather than setting a huge list of goals, pick the three that will make the most impact on your business:
- Make Them SMARTE: That is, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound and Exciting. For example, instead of “Increase my networking,” set a goal to “Attend a monthly networking event by the end of Q1.”
- Define the ‘Why’: Clarifying why each goal matters to your business gives you a clearer purpose and helps you stay motivated when challenges arise.
Reflecting on what you want to achieve will help you start the year focused and ready to make meaningful progress.
Why Structured Planning Makes All the Difference
During the holidays, it’s easy to get caught between relaxation and thinking of all the things you could do for your business. A structured plan helps you cut through the overwhelm and focus on achievable tasks, making the most of your time without adding stress. This approach lets you prioritise what matters most for your unique business needs. It also means you’ll still have time, each day, for yourself and this is also an investment in your business. If you’re working throughot the ‘break’ you’re going to feel it in the weeks ahead. Stop talking yourself out of it, and schedule time for your well being.
By taking small, consistent actions with purpose, you’ll be setting yourself up for a smoother and more successful year ahead. This structure also gives you the satisfaction of checking things off as you go, bringing a sense of accomplishment to your break.
Join My Workshop for the Full 12-steps
These are just the first three steps—there’s much more to cover! Join me on December 12th at 1:15 pm on LinkedIn for a 30-minute workshop, where I’ll be sharing my Top 12 Actions to Prepare Your Business for 2025. We’ll go beyond the basics and dive into actions covering marketing, time management, and customer relationships—all designed to be achievable over the holidays with just an hour or so a day.
Ready to make the most of your holiday break? Save the date and book your place now.