Keeping a small-scale, seasonal business afloat during difficult times is challenging and time-consuming. Unfortunately, you don’t have a guidebook that will teach you how to navigate these times. Every small business has its needs, and each has its rewards and dangers. Ignoring these differences will make your company’s turnaround approaches unrealistic; however, there are typical plans that you can follow.
Bear in mind that small fluctuations in the industry will drastically affect your business, so you’ll have to incorporate resilience into your business model. Below are clever tricks that you can follow if you want to keep your small-scale, seasonal business afloat.
Learn More about the Industry
Gathering data is the foundation of building your business, regardless of its scope and niche market. Before starting, you should already have an overview of the seasonal fluctuations and your expected income. Most entrepreneurs get affected by seasonality, while others need to minimize their operations, including snow removal, lawn care and maintenance, holiday rentals, and ski resorts.
Make it a habit to gather more data about your niche market to understand the newest trends. You can even talk to competitors to ask them how they’ve been affected. Once you clearly understand your niche market, you’ll have to develop a business model that states how to handle each event or holiday.
Maximize the Off-peak Season
Downtime is the best season to think about what your company will do to deal with the increased workload in peak seasons. It’s also the best time to minimize your workload if you want to stay healthy and productive. In running a small-scale, seasonal business, it’s best to go on a short vacation to help you stay prepared for work. It’ll also allow you to be productive without stressing yourself out.
For example, most ski resorts close their physical stores during their slowest months of the year so that their staff members can have more time with their families or enjoy their well-deserved rest from work. But you shouldn’t completely close up. Use that time to reevaluate your company’s approaches and methods. Doing that will stop you from being too reliant on peak seasons for survival.
It’s also another way to let your customers visit your online store and purchase their favorite products. For example, your customers can reach out at any time of the year to buy their favorite Tecnica Mach1 ski shoes.
Learn about Your Competitors
Knowing how your competitors are promoting their business will make your company more established. You’ll find inspiration anywhere, so use it. Find the methods that you think are right for your company. By monitoring your competitors, you’ll also get a clear picture of what they’re doing and where they need improvement.
That will provide you with information that will help you increase your income during peak seasons while keeping costs down.
Try to Diversify Your Income
Only having a single source of income isn’t a good idea for your business, so you’ll have to diversify your income by expanding what products or services you’ll have to offer during the off-peak seasons. It’ll keep your business afloat when your company isn’t earning much. It’ll also help you learn where the demand is so that you can still generate revenue even during off-peak seasons.
You might also have to consider offering complementary products or services. Through expanding and diversifying the products or services provided during peak and off-peak seasons, you’ll still earn money even if your customers decide to visit.
Make Your Marketing Calendar
Managing a seasonal business will make it hard to determine what events are coming up. How can you address that problem? By listing all your upcoming events in an event and marketing calendar. That will help you proactively market your business. Look for events that pique the audience’s interest and are helpful for your business. You mustn’t get overwhelmed by the events you’ve listed in the calendar.
If needed, focus on what you have to do on specific dates and determine which team will handle which tasks.
Be Transparent with the Team
Managing your team efficiently during peak seasons starts with discussing what you expect from them and how they can help you. It’ll minimize problems or arguments when the seasons change, so everyone is on the same path. It’s also helpful to set rules that tackle how you run the business and what to expect during peak or off-peak days.
You’ll also have to give them the chance to rest on the slow days. One practice of a seasonal business is to contract students who are free during summer to help out.
From stores that sell surfing equipment to holiday decorations, many are significantly affected by the changes in the season. It’s especially challenging for companies that cater to weather-dependent activities or tourists. Use these tips if you want to keep your small-scale, seasonal business afloat during the off-peak seasons.
