Preparing Client Holiday Gifts - A Timeline!

Planning ahead for client holiday gifts makes all the difference!  In prior years, when I've started preparing in November, I invariably get behind.  This year, I started in early October and now that Thanksgiving is almost upon us, I feel that I am ready to send out holiday cards and distribute holiday gifts in early December.  Here's a look at my timeline:



Early October
- Write draft of holiday newsletter to go out with holiday cards
- Check to see whether we have enough holiday cards in stock or need to order more

Mid-October
- Work on re-write of holiday newsletter
- Order holiday stamps for mailing

Early November

- Purchase items for client gifts

Mid November
- Finalize holiday newsletter
- Purchase any additional wrapping or client gifts as needed

Early December
- Fold and include holiday newsletter with holiday cards and mail
- Assemble (as needed) and distribute holiday gifts to clients

Mid December
- Done!

Economic Forecasting - Whether It Makes a Difference to Your Business

Just the other day, I attended a very interesting presentation by Dr. Sohn, an economist at California State University of Channel Islands. (Note: This was part of a speaker series sponsored by the Business Advisory Council of the Martin V. Smith School of Business.) In essence, he gave an overview of the economy of our world, nation and state in about an hour. Whew--that's a lot to cover! And, for our country in particular, the news was not all that positive. (If you're living in China, though, the economic engine is going full bore!)

But, it led me to question not whether it mattered that are economy was in bad shape because we all know it matters, but what was I going to do about it and, in fact, what we could all "do about it" in terms of our businesses. We can't do much about changing fiscal policy unless we're good friends with Ben Bernecke or other economists in the Federal Reserve. And, we can certainly write to our legislators about our opinions about the tax cuts and other ways that government can help businesses save money or create reasons to hire but the wheels of government are slow. Most of all, I think all of us in business need to forge ahead.

We cannot give up. We cannot give in to doom and gloom. Being a business owner requires you to be positive. Probably we wouldn't have started a business if we'd listened to all of our friends, family and colleagues who cautioned us about the pitfalls of owning a business. We do need to be aware and agile, though, in how we operate. And, perception can drive reality. If we are positive (and persistent!), usually positive results follow.  So, it makes a difference only in the sense that you can make necessary changes to your business to adjust to the state of the economy.