Quarterly Planning: Q4
Q4: october, november, december
Planning ahead is one of the best tips I can give for running a successful business. You have to think ahead to not be overwhelmed. If you’re keeping the plan in your head, it’s easy to lose track of the details. And that can lead to feeling overwhelmed and always behind. (This is something we run into ourselves!)
Plans, lists, and calendar reminders are some of the things we’ve found that help keep us on track. Each quarter, we’ll be posting a list (NOT all inclusive) of things to keep track of, items to update, and tips for planning for future holidays.
You can use the list below as a reminder to help you create your own task list or planning schedule. It’s not all inclusive - add to it as needed.
MAJOR HOLIDAYS
Major holidays need thought and attention BEFORE the holidays. It’s good to start thinking about your plans before the rush. Below you’ll find some things to consider.
Thanksgiving 🦃 (Thursday, November 23, 2023)
October:
Plan your Thanksgiving specials - What will you sell in-store and/or on your website? What sizes, colors, and flowers do you want to include?
If you have records from last year, review them now!
Plan your Thanksgiving marketing (emails, ads, etc.)
Decide what Thanksgiving specials and services you’ll be offering this year.
Create a rough draft marketing plan for email, social media, and website.
Create the recipes for each special.
Order your Thanksgiving hardgoods.
If you are using special holiday packaging materials, order them now.
Estimate how many of each special you want to sell.
If this isn’t your first holiday season, refer to last year.
November:
Begin your Thanksgiving marketing (emails, ads, etc.).
Put your specials on your ecommerce site.
Christmas 🎄(Monday, December 25, 2023)
October:
Confirm your extra help for Christmas home decorating.
Continue marketing this service if you have space in your schedule.
Schedule days your shop will be closed for each holiday. Let your team know so they can plan accordingly.
November:
Christmas home decorating begins this month.
Set up your store displays for Thanksgiving & Winter Holidays.
December:
Begin your Christmas marketing (emails, ads, etc.).
Valentine's Day ❤ (Wednesday, February 14, 2024) - No, it’s NOT too early!
December:
Plan your holiday specials - What will you sell in-store and/or on your website? What sizes, colors, and flowers do you want to include?
If you have records from last year, review them now!
Plan your Valentine’s Day marketing campaign.
Decide what Valentine’s Day specials and services you’ll be offering this year.
Create a rough draft marketing plan for email, social media, and website.
Create the recipes for each special.
Order your Valentine’s Day hardgoods.
If using special holiday packaging materials, order them now.
Estimate how many of each special you want to sell.
If this isn’t your first holiday season, refer to last year.
Minor Holidays
Minor holidays don’t take as much pre-planning, but it’s still good to think about them beforehand. It’s up to you if you promote these or not.
winter holidays ❄
Hanukkah (Thursday, Dec. 7-Friday, Dec. 15, 2023)
Kwanzaa (Tuesday, Dec. 26-Monday, Jan. 1, 2024)
Winter Solstice (Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023)
October:
Plan holiday specials - What will you sell in-store and/or on your website? What sizes, colors, and flowers do you want to include?
If you have records from last year, review them now!
Create the recipes for each special.
November:
Begin your Winter holiday marketing (emails, ads, etc.).
Put your Winter Holiday specials on your ecommerce site.
SEASONAL CHANGES
As holidays end and seasons change you need to think about making ecommerce updates as well as changing retail space displays. Go through this list to make sure you’re prepared for the new seasons.
October:
Prepare your website with Thanksgiving specials.
Prepare your website with Winter Holiday specials.
November:
Remove Homecoming from ecommerce site.
Make Thanksgiving specials active on your website.
Mid-November: Make Winter Holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, etc.) active on your website.
Prepare your website with Winter designs.
December:
Update your website with winter designs. Make active on December 1st.
FINANCIALS
Each month you need to be aware of what taxes are due and prepare for upcoming expenses. Staying on top of your financials is crucial to running a successful business! This, more than anything else, will determine your success as a business.
October:
Pay your monthly payroll taxes.
Profit/loss review of previous month
Profit/loss for major holidays (if any)
Quarter 3 profit/loss review
Save for any upcoming big expenses
File your sales tax
Check in with your CPA
Cash flow - Set aside a portion of this months income for slow periods OR if it’s a slow period, withdraw money from that fund.
November:
File your sales tax
Pay your monthly payroll taxes
Profit/loss review of previous month
Profit/loss for major holidays (if any)
Save for upcoming big expenses
Check in with CPA
Cash flow - Set aside a portion of this months income for slow periods OR if it’s a slow period, withdraw money from that fund.
December:
Pay your monthly payroll taxes
Profit/loss review of previous month
Profit/loss for major holidays (if any)
Save for upcoming big expenses
File your sales tax
Check in with your CPA
Cash flow - Set aside a portion of this months income for slow periods OR if it’s a slow period, withdraw money from that fund.
**DISCLAIMER - This list is not exhaustive. We are not tax or legal professionals. You are responsible for your own deadlines, tax and legal obligations.
POST MORTEMS
Time to refresh and follow up after these big holidays. After each holiday record your thoughts, what went well, where you had issues, what the weather was like, what you want to do different next year. It’s good to write these down in a place where it’s easy to find next year!
November: Homecoming
December: Thanksgiving, Christmas home decorating
SELF CARE
Taking care of your business is very important but taking care of yourself and your employees is just as important, if not more! Don’t forget to take the time to relax and destress, especially after busy seasons.
Hire a housekeeper for busy holiday season.
Schedule holidays off for you and your team.
Plan a special outing.
Do something nice for your employees - gift cards, day off, bonus, buy them a meal.
Need some personalized help with all this?