The Holidays Are Coming to Town. We Made a To-Do List For CPG Entrepreneurs
For many CPG founders, Q4 is the busiest time of the year. With Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the winter holidays, just getting to the ball drop is an accomplishment.
The end of the year is the season for lists and checking them twice. Our gift to you, stressed CPG business owner, is an end-of-the-year checklist. Also, check out our blog post “New Year’s Resolution: Have A Heart to Heart with Your Business” for to-do items at the beginning of the year.
Communicate Your Holiday Plans to Your Customers – If you are out of the office for a few days, let customers know their order might be delayed. Additionally, if you are missing a specific farmers’ market, inform your customers to stock up until you return. Transparency is essential to keep brand loyalty.
Reach Out to Your Retailers – Similarly, your store owners are also celebrating the holiday season. Do they have enough product? What are their holiday store hours? A quick touchbase can save time and headaches.
Plan Shipments Accordingly – It is a very chaotic time for our parcel-delivery carrier friends. ShipMatrix projected that 82 million parcels will be delivered, on average, each day during the peak holiday cycle. Coordinate your deliveries accordingly to ensure that your products are delivered to your customers on time.
Create Content for January – Alia O’neal, Managing Partner at the Louder Group mentioned in a recent LinkedIn post : “Far too often I see brands burn out and then ghost on their audience all Q1.” Planning some content now (even if it’s light) will allow you to regroup and refresh after the busy time.
Decide What HAS to Happen Before the End of the Year and What Can Wait for the New Year – Alia also reminds us that everything might not happen by EOY, so decide what needs to stay in 2023 and what can be addressed in 2024.
Wish Your Vendors and Suppliers a Happy Holidays. Does the post office know you by name? What about the security staff at your fulfillment center? A little note or gift might go a long way the next time you have an issue. Remember that some vendors or suppliers might have rules against accepting presents, so don’t get offended if someone politely declines.
Show Appreciation to Your Team – These individuals help you meet your goals and add to the reason for your success. Small gestures help employee retention, boost morale, and show you care. The thought matters whether it’s a team lunch, a handwritten card, paid time off, or a gift card.
Check-in With Yourself – According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 64% of people living with a mental illness reported that their conditions worsened around the holidays. If this resonates, you are not alone. Read “How Entrepreneurs Can Prioritize Themselves for tips on taking care of your well-being.
Bottom line: It might be the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, but for CPG founders, December might be the busiest and most stressful period. There’s so much to do; meeting sales goals could be crucial for the businesses’ survival. However, having a checklist and a plan is the best gift you could give yourself this holiday season.