The summer holidays are upon us, and that means that the kids are off school and many people will be taking trips. If you run a business, you’ll want to make sure that you’re not caught out by the changes you might experience during this time.
In this blog, we’ll look at what you can expect from the summer holidays and how you can get your business prepared.
With the kids off school for the summer, there will be more people filling the high streets during the day. If your retail or recreation business operates in a tourist hotspot, you’ll likely see an influx of people visiting from out of town, too. Stay ready for the extra numbers by checking that your liability insurance covers you for lots of people in your premises.
You should also take careful note of your stock as you may need to order in more – the last thing you want is to be out of stock of something when you have plenty of potential customers. Look back at previous years to determine any seasonal trends, and make sure to stock up as required.
As it’s the summer, it’s likely that your own staff will be wanting to take holidays too, especially if they’ve got their own kids to look after. You may have already made up for this by making sure there’s always staff scheduled in, but you should still be prepared for any last minute absences.
You might consider hiring temporary staff for the summer to pick up any extra work that your full-time workers struggle with. You’ll want to make sure that no employees are overly stressed during this busy period, as this can make them ill – which can lead to even more time off sick1. Offering more training, or asking employees to train others to help fill in while they’re away, can help to alleviate potential stress.
You can use technology to help your business run as smoothly as possible, especially when your staff are off. Use social media scheduling tools to keep your business profiles active if your social media manager is away, but ideally you’ll have someone around who knows the platform to deal with any urgent matters (this is why cross-training can be beneficial, as it means you’re not solely reliant on one person).
You can also set up “away” messages with information for customers to let them know when you’ll be able to deal with their queries2.
You could also consider using cloud-based platforms, or shared servers for certain business data. This would mean that if someone is away due to sickness or holiday, other team members can access their work. Even with careful planning, stuff can still slip through the cracks, so it’s helpful to be able to access employees’ work if they’re absent.
If you have employees working remotely, travelling or accessing systems from different locations, summer can create additional cyber security risks for your business. That’s why it’s good to take the time to remind your staff of security best practices, like:
Using strong passwords.
Avoiding public Wi-Fi for sensitive work
Enabling multi-factor authentication
Keeping software updated
Reporting suspicious emails
Regular backups and up-to-date software can provide an extra layer of protection and help keep your business secure throughout the holiday season.
Summer is a natural time to refresh your marketing and engage with customers in a different way. You could share seasonal content, run special offers or take part in local events – there are plenty of ways to raise awareness and strengthen relationships with customers.
Look online for inspiration and see how your competitors do it. A well-timed summer campaign can help keep your business visible and create positive connections that last long after the holiday season ends.
As the summer holiday season approaches, it's a good time to make sure your business is protected against the unexpected, no matter whether you're managing staff leave, adjusting to changing customer demand or planning for a quieter period.
Everywhen offers tailored business insurance solutions designed to help protect businesses of all sizes, with cover that can adapt to your needs.
If you'd like expert guidance on reviewing your cover ahead of the summer months, simply give us a call on 033 0828 1680 and discover how the right protection can help your business stay confident and resilient throughout the season.
Sources:
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute legal or other professional advice and cannot be relied upon as such. Should you have any queries, we recommend that you consult the appropriate professional adviser.
The links provided in this document are for reference only. Please note that we are not responsible for the content of any linked site.
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