Make the Most of a Post-Holiday Slow Down

Experiencing a quiet couple of months following a bustling holiday season? Here are three different ways your small business can take advantage of seasonal slowdowns.

Get organized, innovate and explore, learn something new or make new connections! Post-holiday downtime can be a gift in disguise, filled with many different opportunities!

Update Your Workspace

The hectic holiday season may have revealed a need for improvement in your workspaces. Perhaps order packing materials weren’t ideally placed, your desk felt cramped, or item storage was not organized in the best way.

Take advantage of the slower post-holiday season to optimize your work and storage spaces. Designate and label drawers or bins for supplies. Make use of wall space with peg boards and shelves. Give product storage an overhaul with racks and tubs, or a labelled shelving system. When you create a tidy, well-organized working space, it allows you to work more efficiently, whether you are packing orders, preparing products, or simply keeping up with day-to-day administration .

Experiment with New Versions of Your Products

If you’ve been thinking about expanding your product offerings, the slow season might be the ideal time to experiment with new scents, flavours, colours, or other variations. The holiday season likely presented the opportunity to learn more about what shoppers are looking for. Additionally, the start of a new year brings new trends in colours, styles, and scents. During the slower season, take those learnings and see what you can create. Who knows, it might be your next bestseller!

Take Advantage of Networking Opportunities

The start of a new year also marks the start of a new tradeshow and convention season. This time provides an excellent opportunity for learning and networking. Use your quiet season to attend some conventions and shows with a direct correlation to your small business, as well as others that may not seem as obvious.

For example, at first glance, an interior design show might not seem like a fit for a candlemaker or florist; however, learning about upcoming design trends and connecting with design professionals can be very inspiring. It could result in an unexpected, new candle container for the candlemaker, or unusual botanical combinations for the florist.

No matter how you choose to use this time, the post-holiday slowdown is a great time for small business owners to get inspired, get organized, and to take a breather after the hectic holiday season.