Business

Setting up a seasonal business requires different approaches to non-seasonal businesses. Whilst most companies have a steady stream of business all year round, seasonal businesses have a shorter time period to operate. Therefore, it is really important to optimize your opportunities in the peak period. Let’s look at some typical seasonal industries to help explain how you can make the most of your business:

Ski resort

Whilst there are many ski resorts that operate all year round, there is only Timberline Lodge in Oregon that opens all year round in the US. The rest of the ski resorts in the US are impacted by the weather/snowfall and therefore ski resort businesses need to make the most of the months that they are open. To do this, they need to have good planning and in the time when they are closed, they can still do key actions such as marketing to get people to book ahead to stay at the resort and work on attracting good staff.

Snow removal

Removing snow can be a very good industry to operate in because it does not require huge expenses or skill to do. You will require a snowplow or other snow removal machinery but you won’t have outlays like acquiring land, you will just need somewhere to keep your machinery and somewhere to set up an office for the admin work. Whilst it can be an easy industry to get started in, it is quite a high-risk job given the icy roads and possible cause of damage so it is important to get snow removal insurance to prevent going out of business if you have to pay out on property damage or other unexpected costs.

Farming

It is not just the colder climates that influence seasonal industries, as planting and harvesting is done in cycles. Planting in the US tends to be from April to June and then harvesting is completed in October and November. Therefore, employing farming staff in time for the cycles is crucial, as well as making sure that the machinery is all in working order before the two cycles commence. Farmers will usually work very long hours to maximize the output from the short time windows, or employ enough workers to cover shifts throughout the day.

Retail

The retail industry has fluctuations around holidays, with Christmas shopping being a particularly busy period where companies will often need to take on additional seasonal staff. Maintaining stock levels is naturally pivotal during such a busy period. Bars and restaurants are similar, getting busier around holiday times and celebrations like Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. Dedicating more planning around staff rotas and offering festive menus are good ways to make the most of the increased custom in the busy holiday period.

When you are working in a seasonal industry, there are many different factors to consider and good planning and time management within the busy periods is essential to the success of these types of companies.

The coworking phenomenon is changing the nature of work in the digital age. Rather than existing in cubicles and feeling isolated at work, coworking strives to create an environment where mutual collaborations and conversations can create something that is more than the sum of its parts. Not merely an environment for working, however, coworking spaces also offer workers the chance to make connections in new ways.

In New Zealand, coworking spaces offer an excellent opportunity for expanding your network. For those who cannot afford to jet-set around and meet new people with ease, you can easily find a premium provider of coworking space in your area as these spaces are proliferating in many of the country’s major cities. If you are an emerging entrepreneur or startup, you cannot ignore this prospect.

 

Let’s take a closer look at some specific ways in which coworking can help with networking in New Zealand.

 

Collaborate And Create

 

The concept behind coworking is largely centred on creating an environment where like-minded and motivated professionals can collaborate and work together. You never know who you might be working alongside, an expert in digital marketing, a professional copywriter, or a future tech titan. With so much talent circulating in your coworking space, the opportunities for a chance meeting with the right person for your project are high. Part of the coworking philosophy is that the experience is what you make of it. If you go into your coworking space with an open mind and a willing attitude, you are sure to find future partners or colleagues who will bring your company to new heights.

 

Trade Your Skills

 

As an entrepreneur, you have a definite skill set in a particular area. You might be an expert in web design, for example. There are likely some colleagues in your coworking space who lack your flair and talent in this field. In the same way, your company might be suffering from a lack of expertise in other areas. With some trial and error, there will be numerous opportunities for you to exchange your skills for those of your colleagues. Take these opportunities seriously as they may provide your business with valuable opportunities for growth.

 

Stay Motivated And Passionate

 

Being passionate about what you do is important not only for your own well-being but also for the health of your business. Your passion is also an invaluable networking tool. By showing up to your coworking space each day with an authentic appreciation for your work, your drive is sure to be noticed by your colleagues. Let this attract people towards an interest in your company. You will find that many of your coworkers will be more than willing to introduce you to the right people to get your business on an upward trajectory.

 

Participate In Casual Events

 

Positive coworking environments offer more casual opportunities for networking away from the office. Whether these are happy hours or semi-formal presentation sessions, be sure to attend as many of these events as you can. If you are truly interested in expanding your network, these opportunities are ideal for meeting people in an organic and non-aggressive way. With a little effort, these connections can become more serious business relationships.

 

Access To An International Network

 

Beyond the New Zealand business world, your coworking provider, if chosen carefully, can provide you with the infrastructure necessary to expand your network internationally. With premium coworking providers, your membership gives you access to coworking locations around the world. With opportunities for networking like this, you cannot afford to ignore the coworking phenomenon.

 

 

Trade events serve as platforms for businesses to get their brand out there, introduce their new products and services, and grow their network. If you are participating in an upcoming trade show, there are ways to ensure that your exhibition booth will stand out and that the event will be a success for your company. Here are some of them.

Plan in advance

If you want the best result for participating in the event, you can’t just go there and set up your booth without any planning. Get all the details regarding the trade show including the date, time, and location, as you will need these for your event promotion. Take a look at the specific space where you will place your booth and take note of the specific area and location. This will help you in planning how to design your booth and what things to bring. Learn about what’s not allowed, to avoid having problems.

Make your design eye-catching

The right design will help you stand out among the other booths. Brainstorm with your team on how to set up and decorate your booth to ensure that it will catch the attention of attendees. Use clear and vibrant prints that will be visible from afar and will give people an idea right away about what you offer. Aside from posters, rollerbanners are also effective for trade shows. They are easy to set up and move, and they can also be stored easily to be used for the next event. Playing a video about your company and what you offer will also attract attendees.

Give out unique freebies

People love getting free items, which is why most participants give away freebies. To make your booth more interesting, think of things that you can give out that are different from the typical items that participants give like mugs and pens. Wearables are also fantastic ideas because those who wear them will be carrying your brand. Give out shirts, caps, or ballers that have your company name or logo printed on them. Make sure that they are well-designed so that people want to wear them. To encourage them to wear your items, you may also have a contest that will give those who wear them a chance to win a special prize.

Invite people before the event

The more people that check out your booth, the more that it will spark the interest of other attendees. They will be curious about what the buzz is. Plus, they are more likely to trust you if they see that many people are checking you out. Invite people you know in advance so they can drop by your booth.

Make your booth interactive

Attendees are more likely to engage with you if you have an interactive booth. For instance, you may prepare games that they can play, or you may offer them the chance to try your products or services.

You might get new clients right there at the event itself, and you will also probably get potential customers that will require a follow-up. Don’t forget to get in touch with them to turn them into clients.

To read more on topics like this, check out the business category.

While you could read dozens of articles that feature generic business tips if you’re interested in learning business tips that can seriously help your business become more successful, continue reading to discover a list of tried and tested business tips.

Business tips that are worth implementing:

1. Make sure that you’re always on top of your business’ finances

While many business owners give the responsibility of managing their business’ finances to a business partner, accountant or team member, in reality, every business owner should make an effort to keep to date with their business’ finances.

As an example, every business owner should know the value of their businesses assets, the total value of their business’ liabilities and their businesses monthly financial statistics. Such as their business’ monthly revenue and profit.

By keeping on top of your business’ finances you should find that you’re better able to make the best possible business decisions.

2. Get rid of negative or low performing employees as soon as possible

While it may be hard to sack individuals if you don’t fire negative or low performing employees your business will suffer in the long term. So it’s well worth biting the bullet, so to speak and culling any unproductive, lazy or negative employees as quickly as possible. Before they have a chance to make a negative impact on your business.

As an example, if you fail to fire a staff member who is surly and treats your customers with an arrogant or unpleasant attitude, they may turn dozens of customers away from your business. Who then may go on to tell their friends and family members to avoid doing business with your company.

3. Hire employees who have skills that you don’t have

While some business owners may be threatened by the idea of hiring individuals who boast skills that they themselves don’t possess, it’s a great idea to hire employees who boast skill sets that you don’t have. As together you’ll be able to build a more successful, more effective business.

Also, realize that time is limited and no matter how hardworking or intelligent you are, you don’t have enough time to learn every skill that your business needs yourself. As an example, instead of spending countless hours taking web design classes, it’s a far more cost-effective idea to hire a staff member who already has exceptional web design skills which you can use to your business’ advantage!

4. Keep your business separate to your personal life

Make sure to keep your business separate to your personal life as your business should always be run as a business. That means that you should never start giving out free handouts to people you know as they will in all likelihood continue to ask you to provide them with free or heavily discounted goods or services. Keep in mind that your business is not a charity and shouldn’t be expected to run like one!

So what are you waiting for? As all of the business tips listed above are well worth implementing, it’s a great idea to start using the advice which you read above today!