Be a Christmas cracker this year!

Itís coming up to that time of year when small firms up and down the country are bracing themselves for the festive rush. As owners and managers gear up to meet large surges in demand and ensure they have sufficient funds and stock levels to meet increased orders, leading business finance provider Bibby Financial Services advises entrepreneurs not to neglect their customers and staff in the rush to make quick sales this Christmas.

David Robertson, chief executive of Bibby Financial Services says: ìChristmas is a great opportunity for small businesses to increase sales, gain new customers and maximise profits but it is also a chance to give your employees and loyal customers a present by looking at ways in which to spread Christmas cheer. This can be anything from offering a special promotion to rewarding a hardworking member of staff by planning a festive knees-up.î

The following tips should help owners and managers maximise the opportunity that Christmas will bring but also leave customers and staff feeling in good cheer.

1.Letter to Santa -ask your customers what they are looking for this Christmas and develop a Christmas wish list for them. Adjust your offering accordingly, not only to improve the service you give to customers but to also steal a march on your competitors.

2.Get out the tinsel - do your employees ësparkleí when they are on the phone speaking to customers? Are your employees proud of the ëserviceí they give? Do they have a passion that is visible to the customer? If your staff are sounding lacklustre in the run up to Christmas, give them some additional training to ensure they are raring to go over the festive season.

3.Gift wrap your services - go that extra mile for your customers over the Christmas period by providing a more personal touch by offering a special Christmas gift wrapping service.

4.Reindeer express - if you provide customers with a home delivery service, ensure that you notify them of the last ordering date on which a delivery for Christmas can be guaranteed. If you use an external delivery firm, choose one that is reliable and book it well in advance to avoid last minute complications and the risk of goods arriving late. Your business reputation is on the line if Christmas gifts arrive on Boxing Day.

5.Seasonís greetings - sending Christmas cards to your customers is a great way of keeping in touch and building your relationship with them. The last posting date to guarantee UK delivery prior to Christmas this year is 21 December for first class post.

6.Set up the Christmas lights - running an effective marketing campaign will light up your business so that it is seen by as many potential customers as possible. Consider running a one-off festive promotion such as ë10% off all orders before 10 Decemberí to encourage early sales. Donít waste money on large amounts of advertising. Define your target customer and choose the most appropriate medium for them.

7.Put on your Christmas party hat - thereís nothing like a good Christmas bash to get everyone into the festive spirit and itís a great opportunity for not only showing your staff how much you value their contribution but for also boosting staff morale, rewarding loyalty and encouraging team spirit. It makes financial sense too - you can claim back full VAT on up to 150 of the cost per person.

8.Play at being Santa - consider giving your staff a bonus in their December pay packet. Christmas is an expensive time of year and any extra money at this time of year will be much appreciated. It will show your staff that you appreciate their efforts and that you value their hard work and continued loyalty.

9.Itís all in the giving - why not make a Christmas donation to your favourite local charity? You can claim a tax deduction for the cost of gifts made in cash or in products produced by the business.

10.Give yourself a present - itís hard work running your own business. By taking some time away from office life, you will return refreshed and rejuvenated ready to implement all the fantastic ideas you have for the business in the coming year.

David Robertson concludes: ìWhile Christmas is a fantastic opportunity to spread goodwill throughout your business and go that extra mile to show customers and staff that you care, it is vital you try to make the good tidings go beyond the festive season and last all year round

ìIt is important to ensure that the way you communicate as a business during Christmas time is part of a consistent, overall communications programme. Entrepreneurs should see Christmas as another opportunity to communicate, not the only opportunity to make staff and customers feel good about doing business with you.î