Planning Ahead: Why Forward Thinking is Crucial for a Successful Christmas in Hospitality
- ETC Finance
- Aug 14
- 3 min read
Making the most of the glorious sunshine this weekend, I took the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing pint in my local pub garden and take some uninterrupted thinking time.
About Christmas.
Future planning is essential for businesses, as it enables them to anticipate challenges, adapt to market shifts, and position themselves for long-term success.
In the hospitality industry the festive season can literally make or break a business.
The next 6 months from September to March are critical for most, if not all, hospitality venues. The (hopeful) peaks of December and the gritty survival through the dark nights of January and February loom ahead.
Some of the outlook is starting to improve, we have had the reduction in interest rates, and the government is talking about reducing red tape - making it easier to set up hospitality businesses, and, just maybe, our friend across the pond is settling down.
No Surprises This Season: The Power of Early Planning
For those already trading, a comprehensive business plan for the next 6 months is essential - and August is a good time to start / continue / review and complete that planning.
Some of the best tips I’ve picked up over many years in the hospitality industry might help your business planning.
Start with the cash flow – have you got one? Is it accurate? Focus on the lean months of January to March, what are the big payments you have to make in that quarter? Don’t overlook VAT, Corporation Tax, personal taxes.
Next, what’s the business trading hours plan? Have you analysed a breakeven per session so that you know if it will be worth opening extra days or actually is it better to stay shut on Mondays in the low months and let the staff have a day off?
What do the Christmas menus look like? Have they been reviewed, tested or accurately costed? Will they appeal to your target market or is there a niche that your chef would like to target? Have this discussion! What are the costs of the add ons – such as Christmas crackers. Should you allow an additional budget for Christmas decorations / live trees?
Don’t forget if you need any licence extensions, these can take a few weeks to get organised. Get ahead of the game and submit them now.
A reliable, efficient and approachable workforce is key to achieving customer satisfaction.
Consider the timing around confirming staff rotas. Recruitment can take time and there will be competition for the available seasonal workforce pool - think about why people would choose to work for you - is there anything that makes your package more attractive than the rest?
Evaluate your marketing reach. How are you raising your profile and driving potential customers to convert into real bookings. Social media can be a smart route to clientele, but don’t overlook any other potential marketing opportunities.
Contemplate inviting an early-bird booking incentive. Reserve your table by the end of September and enjoy a free glass of fizz on arrival, perhaps? How about a deposit taking system? Customers tempted by more attractive last minute offers - could leave you with empty tables and a desolate cash register. A nominal deposit taken on confirmation of booking, could go some way to deterring or protecting against no-shows.
Do you have a booking reminder process for customers? A text message or call 24-hours in advance to check, could also insure against absent guests - and gives you some time to accept walk-ins or advertise late notice availability immediately via social media.
Get ahead of the game with your marketing for New Year - and make sure it's clearly visible for your regulars as soon as possible - and a showpiece when your Christmas guests arrive.
Planning and organising is not always the most exciting part of running any business, but it is essential. Look ahead to the next 6, 12-18 months to forecast any peaks and troughs and highlight any particular considerations such as recruitment challenges, seasonal menu changes, holiday cover, and planned decorating or maintenance.
Future-proof your hospitality business with expert guidance
At ETC Finance Ltd we offer proactive, profit-focused accountancy solutions designed to future-proof your business and keep you ahead of the curve.
Don’t bury your head in the sand.
Contact us today for a no-obligation, free consultation and see how we can solve your accountancy challenges - giving you one less thing to worry about.
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