Housekeeping Tips to Clean Up Your Business After the Holiday Season

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can often leave us feeling like we’re in shambles once it’s mid-January and everyone else is back to the status quo. Meanwhile, you and your staff have barely had a day to breathe and you likely need to catch up on some operational tasks that were left on the back burner during the crush of events.

Photo by Brooke Lark

Fortunately, this time of year is actually a great time for cleaning house — not just for catch-up purposes, but for planning ahead as well. After all, the new year is a great time for setting new goals and mapping out a strategy for the year ahead.

Now’s your time to reset and restart; here’s what our experts have to say about post-holiday housekeeping.

Start planning ahead

“We front load our strategic plan during the first quarter of the year since that is a slower time of year for us,” shares Anthony Lambatos of Footers Catering. “We work hard to make improvements in processes and changes in our structure during that time when we can focus a lot of time and energy to those things.”

Reevaluate and rest your team

“After December, most of us have used everything in the company to the max and things do need to be looked at and cleaned up,” says Adam Gooch of Common Plea Catering. “Most of us will focus on the equipment and buildings, but I feel we need to look at the most important equipment in our companies: our team members. The last quarter of the year for most of us is very busy and our team members, just like equipment, need to be evaluated. It’s important to reset and refocus your team from time to time. Changing little things can engage and breathe new life into your team members.

Gooch continues: “These are good times for getting the team into something different than what they normal do and get their creative juices flowing again. We have done some really fun teambuilding exercises where we have design and food competitions with the team. Looking back and reviewing what you just went through, what didn't work or what you weren't happy with. This can be some fun exercises to have the team rethink the recipes, design, execution and service. This will produce fun results, rebuild your abilities, and refocus the team.”

Be on the lookout

“The market is constantly evolving,” reminds Alan Berg of Wedding Business Solutions, LLC. “You want to be selling what people what to buy, so keep your eyes and ears open for new ideas. I like to live by this philosophy: ‘Make your business obsolete before someone does it to you.’”

Perform a deep clean

“We break up into culinary teams and event teams,” explains Lon Lane of Lon Lane’s Inspired Occasions. “The entire kitchen, freezers, walk-ins, etc. are stripped and cleaned the first week of January. The event team reorganizes the prop room, dish room, etc. and takes inventory of lost, broken, or damaged event equipment so it can be replaced. By the beginning of the second week of January, we are off and running with a totally reorganized, clean, and tidy facility. Just like our homes, it is great to clean up after the holidays. The cleaning process is therapeutic and gets you organized and in a mindset to look to spring.”

Refine your sales strategy

“While many people are thinking of personal resolutions, entrepreneurs often find business inspiration in the energy of a new year — it provides new opportunities for growth, changes, and learning lessons,” says Meryl Snow of Feastivities Events and SnowStorm Solutions. “Take some time to shadow your sales team and evaluate their approach with prospects. Revisit your proposal to see if it needs to be tweaked. Make 2020 a year of efficiency by building lean business strategies into your day-to-day workflow. While certain tasks, like creating an employee manual, may seem time-consuming, remember that your spent is simply an investment into a stronger, more cohesive future for your business.”

It’s the perfect time for a new beginning. Every business will have different areas that need a cleanse, but it’s important that you and your team are taking the time to rest, refresh, and rejuvenate for the busy year ahead.