Small Business Fall Housekeeping: 5 Tips

Crisp leaves and a chilly breeze… There’s no denying that fall is just around the corner! Business owners with children know that the transition from summer vacation to back to school can be extra chaotic, at least until everyone settles into the new routine. 

But once things have quieted down, business owners have a sacred time before the holiday season to refresh and renew their practices in preparation for another year of growth. 

Take advantage of the temporary calm to infuse energy into your business and revamp outdated practices with five fall housekeeping tips that will set you up for success:

Recruit New Talent

If you’ve noticed in the past that you’re often overwhelmed from October-December, it might be a valuable use of time and money to hire some extra help for your business in the fall. 

College campuses are an excellent resource for finding part-time workers looking for hours after class. Parents who want to earn a little extra cash before Christmas may also be interested in morning shifts before their little ones get home. 

Whoever you hire, be sure that they are a good fit for the business culture, have a strong work ethic, and are eager to learn. The last thing you want is to spend more time coaching your new employee than you would have spent just doing the job yourself. 

Evaluate Your SMART Goals

Many business owners create SMART goals at the beginning of the year but often forget to look back at them to see how far they’ve come since then. 

Take a fall afternoon to reflect on the progress you have made in your business and areas that you think you could have capitalized on but didn’t. When you’re ready to think about your next milestone, you can use last year’s goal as a stepping stone for even more growth. 

Clean Up Receipts and Tax Information

Tax time is incredibly stressful for small business owners, especially if they wait until the last moment to prepare their documents. Use the autumn lull to get a head start and save yourself a little anxiety when April rolls around. 

Create an updated list of your business expenses separate from your personal expenses, gather and organize your receipts, and prepare a list of questions you have for your accountant. When it’s time to start filing, you’ll be thankful that the lion’s share of the work is done. 

Seek Feedback From Your Customers and Clients

Take advantage of the relative calm before the winter holidays to speak with customers and clients. Get a gauge of how satisfied they are with your business and areas that they see your growth potential. 

If you start early enough, you may have just enough time to implement a few of their suggestions right around the time many of us are cheerfully sharing gift-giving ideas with loved ones. The happier your customers are, the more likely they are to promote you to their family and friends. 

Strive for Continued Self-Improvement

Who says resolutions can only happen at the dawn of a new year? Instead of waiting for December 1st, find a skill or self-care goal that you’re willing to tackle over the next few months. It can be family- or business-oriented, so long as the overall purpose is to help you feel more satisfied with yourself as an entrepreneur, parent, and friend. 

One investment you can make in yourself is working with a business coach. They can help you tackle some of the most challenging problems owners face while encouraging you to find solutions you’ve never considered. With Lori’s expertise and experience, you can kindle your potential and fuel your drive all year long.