End of Year Housekeeping

Out with the Old and in with the New

No matter which way we look at it 2020 has been surreal. There are very few people who can say they have not in some way be it big or small, been affected by the uncertain times we have had to endure.

But here we are, nearing the end of the 2020 year, and I am confident in saying we are all looking forward to better brighter things for 2021.

There is no better time than the present to wipe away 2020 and prepare for the new better and brighter year ahead. Below are some housekeeping tips to ensure 2021 starts off on the right foot.

Clear communication about holiday hours

Make sure you communicate clearly to your clients, suppliers, and other business associates as to when your business will be closed over the holiday period and when you will reopen – do not keep everyone guessing ?. This information can be posted on your door, at the front counter, on your website, and sent out via email.

Chasing your Debtors

If you have not sent last month’s invoices out yet, then send them now. There is no shame in saying that you are chasing payment on your invoices early because it is Christmas. Make a point of saying that when you contact them. The Christmas / New Year period is a predominantly difficult cash flow period so you chasing your clients may prompt your clients to chase their clients which keeps the money going round.

Office Housekeeping

You may have an awesome cleaner who takes care of all of this for you, but if not and your office is going to be shut up for the next few weeks you may need to consider the following:

• Take any office plants home for the holidays, or you may not have any to come back to
• Clean out the kitchen, you do not want to come back to a fridge where things have taken on a life of their own. Take your secret stash of goodies home too or store them appropriately as you do not want to entice any unwanted tenants while you are on holiday.
• If you can, turn off anything not being used over the break. Empty out your kitchen urn or jug. We also empty the water cooler and lines, so we do not come back to an ice-cold glass of stagnant water.
• Dispose of any rubbish in the office on your last day so again you are not putting a welcome mat out to any unwanted tenants.

In summary…

From all of us at Business Like, we would like to thank you all for your support throughout the year and wish you all a very safe and Merry Christmas followed by a prosperous new year. Here’s to a superb January, a dazzling February, a Peaceful March, an anxiety-free April, a sensational May, and Joy that keeps going from June to November, and then you can round it all off with an upbeat December 2021.

Debbie Ngawaka