Early Bird Specials

As December nears, now is the time to start mapping out your shopping strategy. Establish a benchmark based on your income; create a holiday savings account, and fund it regularly; be sure you’re purchasing within the parameters of what you can truly afford; and know when to buy and when to wait. And remember, the holidays are meant to warm the heart - not burn the wallet!—BPT

Early Bird Specials: Ways Small Businesses can Prepare for the Holidays

Staples helps small businesses get a head start on their holiday prep with three must-have tips.

GetRuralLeaderMag.com | NOVEMBER /DECEMBER 2015 31 The holidays bring many things to mind - eggnog, Christmas trees, piles of presents, the first snowfall and more. However, for small business owners, the holidays signify more than good cheer and time spent with friends and family. For many small businesses, November and December mark the “make or break” time of the year, when the overall level of profitability is determined, and sometimes, these months decide whether or not the business survives. No wonder many small business owners begin preparing for these two months well in advance. Many experts in the field argue that a successful holiday season begins in the virtual world. Increasing bandwidth and redesigning your website to attract more customers are all part of an overall tune up that is vital to avoid any headaches during the busy rush. Stock up and plan for door busters From the cyber world to the world of brick and mortar, inventory planning is at the foundation of a successful holiday season. For many small business owners, stocking up early is a way to secure the best deals from vendors. The challenge is in navigating between running out of product and being overstocked with unsold product. This involves a balance between consulting last year’s sales reports and this year’s projections. It’s part science and part art.

With inventory, sales projections and numerous other figures lined up behind the scenes, many proceed to decide what products will attract customers to the store. These are the so-called door busters, and the earlier they are announced, the more successful they are at generating the buzz that gets customers flocking to the store. For years, small business owners have been turning to Staples Copy & Print to help create this buzz. From customized printed signs and banners to promotional gifts, the marketing solutions they need are available at their neighborhood Staples. A time to give back to your customers