As a small business owner it has become all important to begin planning as early as possible to survive the pending holiday season. Already we have seen shops and centers redecorating in green trees, holly and sparkly stars. They have also started playing carols at airports and the waterfront.

How do we plan to cope with this commercial invasion into our lives and still hope to continue to do business and bring in an income during the next few months? Here are some tips;

Plan your Diary – get a monthly planner and make sure you know when schools break up, public holidays and other important dates. Take time to book all your functions, clients and parties. Never double book or fail to pitch to a function you rsvp to.

Plan your Cash Flow –keep track of all additional spending, it is so easy to get caught up in the spirit and splash out for extra stuff you do not need with money planned for other things. Make sure you can pay salaries early for staff in December. Plan your invoicing in December to make sure you can cover this and communicate with customers so they have a chance to pay before they close and go on leave.

Plan your Business – Chat to suppliers, customers and associates to make sure your schedule falls in line with their closing and time table. The more you plan here the better your December will be.

Plan your friends and family – so often we have friends and family who are on leave who assume that you should be free and available just because they drove down to Cape Town for a holiday. Make sure you your work is done before you take off to drive people to the wine farms.

Plan your leave – plan and book time off, it is important. Make sure you communicate with everyone as to when you will be off and closed or away. Update your email auto reply and answering service to let people know what you are just away and not closed down.

Plan your guilt - Go away and do not feel guilty because you are on holiday. If you have planned your time and business properly, it will eliminate any reason to work whilst on the beach or at the company function.

Plan now to eliminate the stress of a hectic holiday season. Then rest, enjoy and do not drink too much.