September Insight: Getting Prepared for the Upcoming Holiday Seasons

As summer winds down and we gear up for the upcoming holiday season, it’s time to start thinking ahead. Did you know that in 2023, more than one-third of U.S. consumers had already begun their holiday shopping by September, with a significant portion having made their first purchases? While back-to-school promotions traditionally dominate this month, we’re seeing Halloween and Black Friday making early appearances too.

Let’s dive into some key tips to help you prepare for the holiday season ahead!

Tips for Getting Ahead in Seasonal Promotions

It may seem early to start preparing for the holiday season in September, but now is the perfect time to get ahead. Stocking up on inventory, creating promotional content and email campaigns, and hiring seasonal staff all require careful planning and effort. To help you get started, here’s a checklist for your advance preparation.

1. Optimize for Local SEO:

Search Engines: Ensure your listings on Google My Business and Bing Places for Business are up-to-date with holiday hours and any special promotions. This helps local customers find you easily.
Localized Keywords: Use local keywords in your online content and promotions. For example, include terms like "Vancouver holiday shopping" or "Christmas gifts in BC" to attract local customers,

2. Enhance Online Presence:

Holiday-Themed Website: Give your website a festive makeover with holiday themes and easy navigation for seasonal products or services. Ensure your online store is ready for increased traffic and transactions.
Social Media Campaigns: Run holiday-themed social media campaigns, including giveaways or contests that encourage user-generated content, like sharing their favorite holiday moments in Vancouver

3. Offer Members-Only Exclusive Access:

Early Access to Seasonal Products: Introduce popular seasonal products exclusively to your members before they’re available to the public. This could include limited-edition items, holiday-themed products, or bestsellers from previous years.
Early Access to Sales: Allow your members to access holiday sales, such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals, before they go live to the public. Giving your members the first pick of sale items can drive early sales and help manage the rush of holiday shopping.

4. Manage Inventory:

Analyze Historical Sales Data: Begin by reviewing your sales data from previous holiday seasons. Identify which products were in high demand, which items sold out quickly, and which ones had slower movement. This analysis will help you make informed decisions about what to stock up on and in what quantities.
Forecasting Demand: Use your historical data along with current market trends to anticipate demand for this year’s holiday season. Consider any new trends or shifts in consumer behavior, such as increased online shopping or a preference for certain types of products. This will help you adjust your inventory levels accordingly.

5. Hire Seasonal Staff:

Assess Staffing Needs: Evaluate your staffing requirements based on your anticipated holiday sales volume. Consider areas where you might need extra hands, such as customer service, sales, inventory management, or shipping and fulfillment. Determine how many seasonal employees you’ll need to maintain smooth operations during peak times.
Training and Onboarding: Develop a streamlined onboarding process to quickly bring seasonal staff up to speed. Provide comprehensive training that covers product knowledge, customer service standards, and any specific systems or procedures they’ll need to use. Consider pairing new hires with experienced staff for on-the-job training and support.

Business Connection

Attending business events offers significant advantages, much like fueling your journey in the business world. These events are a prime source of motivation, allowing you to connect with successful entrepreneurs and like-minded professionals who can inspire and energize your efforts. They also provide valuable opportunities to explore new markets and customer segments through the connections you establish. Plus, staying informed about shifting market trends through these events helps you stay ahead in a constantly evolving landscape.

Upcoming Events:

Sep 4, 2024: Vancouver Entrepreneurs Toastmasters Club (in-person meeting), Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, Vancouver, 4 September 2024 | AllEvents.in

Sep 6, 2024: Rooftop Social Hour for Women Entrepreneurs Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Sep 12, 2024: New Westminster - Women In Business Networking Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Sep 11, 2024: Victoria Resilient Women In Business Networking Event Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Sep 11, 2024: Mentor Walks Vancouver: Get guidance and grow your network Tickets, Wed, 11 Sep 2024 at 7:10 AM | Eventbrite

Sep 12, 2024: Women Rising: Advancing Women's Leadership Tickets, Thu, 12 Sep 2024 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite

Sep 17, 2024: Conscious Fashion Convention: A night of Networking, BCIT Downtown Campus, Vancouver, 17 September 2024 | AllEvents.in

Sep 19, 2024: Entrepreneur Meet Up Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Sep 21,2024: Show & Tell - Diverse Entrepreneurs Business Incubator - 2024 - Burnaby Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Sep 22, 2024: The Power of Connection in Kelowna: An Event Series for Women Tickets, Sun, Sep 22, 2024 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite

Sep 24, 2024: Brands for Better Community Meet Up - How Can We Help Pitch Night, The Beaumont Studios, Vancouver, 24 September 2024 | AllEvents.in

Sep 26, 2024: Navigating the Future of Digital Assets - Mini Summit in Vancouver, Gowling WLG, Vancouver, 26 September 2024 | AllEvents.in

Sep 26, 2024-: AI for Business Transformation - Vancouver Training Workshop, 290 W 3rd Ave, Vancouver, 26 September 2024 | AllEvents.in

Monthly Myth-Free Zone

Misconceptions about running a business can sometimes impede your development or even deter you from starting your venture altogether. To avoid these pitfalls, it's crucial to conduct thorough research and gain a clear understanding of the local business environment. By doing so, you can make informed decisions, effectively address potential challenges, and steer clear of legal issues. Comprehensive research helps ensure that you are well-prepared to navigate the complexities of the market, comply with regulations, and leverage opportunities for growth, ultimately setting a strong foundation for your business's success.

Let's take a look at the selected Biz Myth Busters for this month!

Myth 1: I operate a home-based business, and since it is a very small-scale one, I don't really have to apply for a business licence.

Fact: False! A business licence is required to operate a business in any city, whether it is commercial, industrial, home-based, or out-of-town. Vancouver for example, it’s crucial to understand the city’s rules and regulations before launching your business. To learn more about the permits and licenses required for your business, please visit: BizPaL - Home Page (bcbizpal.ca).

Source: Operating a small business | City of Vancouver

Myth 2: Everything I purchased for my office, from small stationery items to fixtures like furniture and tools, can be included as office expenses for tax deductions.

Fact: False! Items such as calculators, filing cabinets, chairs and desks are capital items. For capital cost allowance, please visit: Capital cost allowance (CCA) classes - Canada.ca

Sources: Types of operating expenses - Canada.ca

Myth 3: My business is small, so the legal structure doesn't really matter. I can worry about it when my business becomes much bigger in the future.

Fact: False! It's a common misconception that the legal structure of a small business can be postponed until it grows larger. However, choosing the right legal structure early on is crucial for liability protection, tax implications, credibility and funding, compliance, and record-keeping.

Sources: How to choose your business structure | BDC.ca

Formula for Success: Empowerment through Technology

In this feature, we delve into the inspiring journey of Ha Nguyen, the founder of WomenLoveHerbs, who is transforming the way women engage with herbal remedies. By merging traditional herbal wisdom with modern technology, Ha has developed a gamified learning platform that makes incorporating herbal knowledge into daily wellness routines both accessible and engaging.

Ha Nguyen, founder of WomenLoveHerbs, is transforming how women engage with herbal remedies through a gamified learning platform. Her innovative approach integrates herbal knowledge into daily wellness routines, making it both accessible and engaging. By combining traditional wisdom with modern technology, Ha has created an interactive space where users can earn rewards, track progress, and deepen their understanding of holistic health. Driven by a mission to empower women worldwide, Ha's platform goes beyond simple education. It fosters a supportive community where women can share experiences and take control of their health. Through WomenLoveHerbs, Ha is breaking down barriers to holistic wellness, inspiring a global movement toward natural health and self-empowerment.

Feeling inspired? Ready to share your success story and insights with fellow aspiring women entrepreneurs? Connect with your Business Advisor or reach out to us to get featured here!

We’re grateful to have you as part of the IWEP family.

Let’s continue to inspire and support each other by embracing change and fostering innovation in our businesses. Strong and thriving companies are just around the corner!