With the holidays just around the corner, it’s easy to overlook those end-of-the-year tasks that you need to take care of. That’s why right now, you need to pay attention to these five things and mark them off your list before December 31.
1. File Corporate Paperwork
If your business is incorporated, you may need to file your Statement of Information to remain compliant. You should receive notification from your Secretary of State office with information on how to submit it; often you can do so online as well as pay a modest fee (usually $25).
2. Review Goals
If you set goals or resolutions at the start of the year, now is the time to assess results. Did you accomplish what you wanted to for your business? If not, you need to analyze why. Maybe you didn’t hit your sales numbers because you didn’t put enough attention into your marketing. Use the results from last year to create your goals for next year. Then make sure that you set up tasks to help you work toward achieving those goals.
3. Get Your Marketing Plan in Place
2015 is going to be a great year for your business…if you’ve got your marketing plan ready. Look at what you did this year, and pay attention to what worked and what didn’t. Do more of what worked, and scratch the rest off of your list. And make room for other marketing tactics you might not have explored in the past. For example, maybe you try out SnapChat as a tool to connect with potential customers. You can’t know what will work until you take risks.
4. Show Appreciation to Your Customers and Employees
This is the perfect time of year to show how much you value both your customers and your employees. There are several ways you can do this, including giving them gifts, hosting a holiday party, or taking them out for a good meal. At the very least, send out holiday cards with a heartfelt message.
5. Get Your Hiring Plan Ready
Once the holiday season is over, your temporary hires will head out. If you plan to offer any a permanent position, this is the time to do so, so that they can make plans accordingly. Determine how much need you have for additional staff once the holiday shopping season dies down, as well as how much you have in your budget to pay for full- or part-time employees.
A bit of planning and effort now will help you ensure that next year is the best year ever for your small business.
This article was originally published by ScheduleBase
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