Cal Wilson / March 9, 2026

How to assess a SaaS platform’s security.

Over the years, Software as a Service (SaaS) has become widely used across all industries for a variety of functions. However, moving data online comes with the risk of a data breach, which can be costly to a business and their reputation.

In 2025, IBM found that the average data breach cost was $4.4 million USD. Further yet, the use of artificial intelligence poses an additional risk. New global research from IBM and Ponemon Institute shows that AI is “greatly outpacing security and governance in favor of do-it-now adoption” and that ungoverned AI systems are more likely to be breached and more costly when they are.

In this article, we’ll dive into how you can assess a SaaS platform’s security and make the most informed, and safest, choice for your business.

When in doubt, ask. 

The SaaS vendor or reseller you’re working with should be an expert in their offerings. Ask them to explain the security of the software and show proof. Some SaaS providers will even offer detailed security whitepapers or a more thorough security assessment upon request. If they can’t answer your questions, that should be a red flag.

Some questions to highlight.

If you are talking to a vendor and don’t know what to ask, here are some questions to help guide the discussion:

  • What sort of data encryption protocols does the platform follow?
  • Is multi-factor authentication an option for user login? What about single sign-on?
  • Does the platform allow granular permissions based on user roles?
  • What is the vendor’s documented incident response process and how do they handle security breaches?
  • What is the platform’s backup frequency, retention policy, and recovery time objective (RTO) in case of an outage?
  • Do they have a vulnerability assessment for you to review? Do they conduct regular third-party penetration tests?
  • Does the software have AI integrations? What AI access controls are in place?

Of course, depending on your industry and needs, there may be more questions you need to ask, but this list will provide you with a good starting point to determine the strength of a platform’s security.

Keep security certifications in mind. 

Industry standards mean that many SaaS applications should proudly disclose their security certifications. Some of the important ones to look out for include:

  • ISO/IEC 27001 – the world’s best-known standard for information security management systems (ISMS). It provides companies of any size and from all sectors of activity with guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an information security management system. Conformity with ISO/IEC 27001 means that a SaaS platform’s operations respect all the best practices and principles enshrined in this International Standard.
  • SOC 2 Type II – the System and Organizations Control (SOC) framework’s series of reports offer some of the best ways to demonstrate effective information security controls. A SOC 2 Type II report confirms that a SaaS platform has robust controls for data security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
  • PCI DSS – any platform that handles payment card data should be PCI compliant, just like your business has to be.

There are also industry-specific certifications, such as HIPAA for healthcare organizations that conduct electronic transactions, that should be taken into consideration as they apply to your organization.

In conclusion…

It’s critical that you assess any SaaS platform’s security before purchasing a subscription. Your business’ financial health and reputation depend on it. Asking the vendor tough questions and ensuring the necessary security accreditations are met is a strong first step in determining which platforms are safe for your business.

Cal Wilson / February 27, 2026

What are variable expenses and how can they impact your business’ bottom line?

When creating a budget for your business, it is helpful to separate and account for fixed versus variable expenses. Mistaking the latter for the former can cost you, and the better you understand all your expenses, the better chance you have of optimizing them.

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, the best way to describe the difference is that fixed expenses are costs that stay the same from month to month, whereas variable expenses are ever-changing and harder to predict.

Fixed expenses.

Fixed expenses often represent the largest part of your budget. For a business, your fixed expenses are going be costs such as rent payments, insurance premiums, property taxes, and so on. While these are not easy to optimize, they are easy to work into your budget, as they are unchanging and paid at a consistent frequency.

If you can lower these expenses – say, by finding a different insurance plan that works for your needs – you automatically save more money each month or pay period.

In business budgeting, it is important to remember that all your fixed costs must be paid, regardless of your sales that pay cycle. If you’re starting a business, making sure you can cover these expenses for a period before you start bringing in revenue is crucial to staying afloat.

Variable expenses.

Your variable expenses are going to represent the costs incurred by how a given month or pay period goes for your business. How many credit cards you swipe, how much electricity you use, or how much waste you generate; all of these are going to incur a bill that varies every cycle.

Some of these expenses can be harder to reduce than others. How much heating you use to keep your office warm, for example, may be more difficult to lower than the amount of waste your organization is generating. However, in many cases, these expenses are in areas that you can strategize or work with professionals to identify savings, creating a more predictable monthly bill.

Employees can represent either kind of expense.

Depending on how you staff your business, your employees can be either a fixed or variable expense. Anyone hired on full time, who is guaranteed a forty-hour work week, will be a fixed expense, whereas a seasonal or part-time employee will likely be a variable expense, as their hours are subject to change month to month.

Budget with these expenses in mind.

When you’re budgeting, it’s important to separate your fixed costs and your variable costs. If you’re able to determine what you absolutely will be spending in your fixed costs, then it is easier to identify and strategize areas to save with your variable costs.

Month to month, keep track of your variable expenses. Maybe one month you allotted too little to certain expenditures and went over budget. If you keep a closer eye on each cost category, you can do a better job budgeting and planning for the future going forward.

Don’t settle on expenses.

The lower you can keep your costs, fixed or variable, the better the results for your bottom line. If you don’t have experience negotiating rates or deciding what expenses are fair in comparison with the rest of the market, don’t settle. Explore your options, bring in consultants, and work with professionals who can guide you in the right direction.

Especially for the fixed expenses you will be locked into for some time, this could be a make-or-break decision for your business. Why pay more than you have to?

This article was originally published in November, 2021

Cal Wilson / February 27, 2026

How to balance the holiday season with your business’ bottom line.

Depending on your industry – and area of focus – the holiday season can be slow for business. In fact, November to January might bring with it a looming sense of doom, not just related to shorter days and cooler weather, but instead, about your business’ bottom line.

In this article, we take a look at the holiday slowdown that impacts some businesses around this time of year, and some strategies for combatting any potential fiscal consequences it may have.

What is the ‘holiday slowdown’?

As many professionals know, this phenomenon happens when businesses or industries experience a decrease in activity or a slowdown in operations during the holiday season which can make an already tight time of year even more nerve-wracking.

Of course, not all industries are impacted, some sectors thrive during the holiday season. These include:

  • Retail and consumer goods businesses.
  • E-commerce.
  • Hospitality, travel, and tourism.
  • Subscription-based services that bill annually, starting in January.

Some of the industries most affected by the holiday slowdown season are:

  • Service industries that are not directly related to seasonal activities.
  • B2B businesses.
  • Retail businesses that cannot offer online shopping alternatives.

What is the culprit behind this slowdown?

There are a lot of reasons your business might slowdown during the holiday season. Some that might be impacting your business include:

  • Changing consumer priorities.
  • Employee vacations.
  • Business closures.
  • Budget constraints for both your business’ spending and customer spending.

For these reasons, you might find your suppliers take longer to deliver, your clients and contacts don’t return calls or emails, and, altogether, things are just harder to get done. If you’re trying to accomplish work as normal during the holiday season, it might feel like the rest of the world is plotting against you.

There are strategies for combating the slowdown.

Businesses often need to adapt their strategies to navigate the holiday slowdown. Having a plan for this season can often make the difference between starting the new year off strong, or in a deficit. Depending on your industry, there are many tactics worth considering:

  • The launch of holiday-specific promotions, discounts, and other deals to incentivize customer’s purchasing decision.
  • Developing campaigns to encourage the sale of pre-paid gift cards and certificates as holiday presents.
  • Investing in experimental marketing tactics to increase community engagement and local brand awareness.

Of course, depending on what your business specializes in , these might not be viable options.

Cutting costs is more effective than spending money.

There is a lot of advice out there that will tell you to put money and time into marketing campaigns, revamped customer service training, new product or service offerings, and other investments to survive the holiday slowdown season.

In general, spending money to make money makes sense. However sometimes it’s just another added worry during an already stressful season, and it’s not guaranteed to make the slowdown period any more lucrative. Having a plan to ensure your budget isn’t overextended during the holiday slowdown is the best  tool available to guarantee a successful holiday season, and an even better new year.

What does this “plan” look like?

  • Developing a comprehensive holiday business plan that includes sales forecasts and contingency efforts.
  • Analyzing past holiday seasons to identify trends and areas for improvement.
  • Managing inventory levels effectively to prevent overstocking or stockouts.
  • Ensuring you’re not overspending on any essential business expenses all year long.

We’ve found that it’s not uncommon for businesses to be overspending on expenses like telecom, payment processing fees, and waste disposal by around 25-30%. Maybe that’s not a huge problem during your peak season, but during a holiday slowdown, that could pose some real consequences. The best thing your business can do to survive slow periods , is make sure all your costs are optimized, all the time.

In conclusion…

Depending on your industry, holiday slowdowns may become unavoidable. While there’s lots of advice out there encouraging you to spend money on shiny new initiatives or campaigns, one of the best things you can do is look for ways to ensure you’re not overspending throughout the entire year.

Cal Wilson / February 27, 2026

Energy Challenges Unique to Warehouses and Distribution Centers

Warehouses and distribution centers are designed for efficiency, but energy isn’t always part of the equation. Their large size, fluctuating activity, and energy-intensive equipment create unique challenges, often driving costs that feel unavoidable. High ceilings, open layouts, and large bay doors mean energy is spent heating rising air, cooling underused spaces, and lighting massive areas, even when they’re unused. Spread across such large spaces, these inefficiencies quietly inflate energy usage without immediate notice.

The Scale Problem: Heating, Cooling, and Lighting Massive Spaces

Unlike office buildings, warehouses rarely have consistent occupancy throughout the building. Yet heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) as well as lighting systems are often designed to treat the entire facility as one uniform space. Considering 17% of commercial buildings in the U.S. are warehouse and storage buildings, that adds up to a significant amount of wasted energy.

Picking areas or shipping lanes may see constant activity, while storage aisles or overflow areas are used sporadically, so energy is used to condition and light areas that may often be unoccupied. Without controls that take into account different zones and occupancies, businesses end up paying to light, heat, and cool areas that aren’t actively supporting daily operations. Over time, this “one-size-fits-all” approach leads to ongoing waste that’s difficult to detect without a closer look at when and where energy is being consumed.

Equipment That Runs Around the Clock

Warehouses and distribution centers rely on energy-intensive equipment like conveyors, charging stations, automated systems, and material-handling machinery. This heavy-duty equipment requires a substantial power source. Even when not in active use, much of this equipment continues drawing power. Extended operating hours, overnight charging, and idle systems add to energy consumption. This creates a situation where energy usage remains high regardless of actual productivity.

Seasonal Spikes That Become Permanent Costs

Every industry has its peak season, which likely requires longer hours, added shifts, and increased output. Energy usage rises accordingly, but the problem begins when those temporary changes aren’t reversed back.

Lighting schedules, HVAC settings, and equipment run times adjusted for peak demand frequently remain in place long after volumes return to normal. As a result, businesses can find themselves paying peak-level energy costs year-round without realizing it.

Aging Infrastructure and Deferred Upgrades

Many warehouses operate in older buildings with outdated lighting, HVAC systems, or insulation. While these systems may still function, they are rarely efficient by modern standards. Upgrades are often postponed in favor of seemingly more essential operational spending. Unfortunately, the longer these inefficient systems remain in place, the more they quietly drain budgets over time through higher energy consumption and maintenance costs.

How Can It Be Combatted?

Addressing warehouse energy challenges doesn’t require a total overhauling of operations. Small, targeted changes can make a measurable difference, such as implementing zone-based lighting and motion sensors to limit energy use to active areas, or scheduling equipment more efficiently to reduce idle power draw.

Get To Know Usage Patterns

Regularly reviewing energy usage patterns will help to identify hidden inefficiencies and ensures that the energy being used supports operations rather than running independently of them. For a busy warehouse manager, this can be a daunting task. Partnering with a third-party consultant to provide expert analysis and actionable recommendations allows them to focus on day-to-day operations instead.

Energy Control Is an Operational Advantage

Warehouses and distribution centers will always require energy, but wasted energy is not inevitable. By understanding the unique challenges these facilities face and regularly reviewing how energy is used, businesses can turn energy from an uncontrollable overhead cost into a managed operational expense.

The most efficient facilities aren’t just moving faster; they’re ensuring every dollar spent on energy supports real productivity.

Cal Wilson / February 27, 2026

Energy Challenges Unique to Warehouses and Distribution Centers

Warehouses and distribution centers are designed for efficiency, but energy isn’t always part of the equation. Their large size, fluctuating activity, and energy-intensive equipment create unique challenges, often driving costs that feel unavoidable. High ceilings, open layouts, and large bay doors mean energy is spent heating rising air, cooling underused spaces, and lighting massive areas, even when they’re unused. Spread across such large spaces, these inefficiencies quietly inflate energy usage without immediate notice.

The Scale Problem: Heating, Cooling, and Lighting Massive Spaces

Unlike office buildings, warehouses rarely have consistent occupancy throughout the building. Yet heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) as well as lighting systems are often designed to treat the entire facility as one uniform space. Considering 17% of commercial buildings in the U.S. are warehouse and storage buildings, that adds up to a significant amount of wasted energy.

Picking areas or shipping lanes may see constant activity, while storage aisles or overflow areas are used sporadically, so energy is used to condition and light areas that may often be unoccupied. Without controls that take into account different zones and occupancies, businesses end up paying to light, heat, and cool areas that aren’t actively supporting daily operations. Over time, this “one-size-fits-all” approach leads to ongoing waste that’s difficult to detect without a closer look at when and where energy is being consumed.

Equipment That Runs Around the Clock

Warehouses and distribution centers rely on energy-intensive equipment like conveyors, charging stations, automated systems, and material-handling machinery. This heavy-duty equipment requires a substantial power source. Even when not in active use, much of this equipment continues drawing power. Extended operating hours, overnight charging, and idle systems add to energy consumption. This creates a situation where energy usage remains high regardless of actual productivity.

Seasonal Spikes That Become Permanent Costs

Every industry has its peak season, which likely requires longer hours, added shifts, and increased output. Energy usage rises accordingly, but the problem begins when those temporary changes aren’t reversed back.

Lighting schedules, HVAC settings, and equipment run times adjusted for peak demand frequently remain in place long after volumes return to normal. As a result, businesses can find themselves paying peak-level energy costs year-round without realizing it.

Aging Infrastructure and Deferred Upgrades

Many warehouses operate in older buildings with outdated lighting, HVAC systems, or insulation. While these systems may still function, they are rarely efficient by modern standards. Upgrades are often postponed in favor of seemingly more essential operational spending. Unfortunately, the longer these inefficient systems remain in place, the more they quietly drain budgets over time through higher energy consumption and maintenance costs.

How Can It Be Combatted?

Addressing warehouse energy challenges doesn’t require a total overhauling of operations. Small, targeted changes can make a measurable difference, such as implementing zone-based lighting and motion sensors to limit energy use to active areas, or scheduling equipment more efficiently to reduce idle power draw.

Get To Know Usage Patterns

Regularly reviewing energy usage patterns will help to identify hidden inefficiencies and ensures that the energy being used supports operations rather than running independently of them. For a busy warehouse manager, this can be a daunting task. Partnering with a third-party consultant to provide expert analysis and actionable recommendations allows them to focus on day-to-day operations instead.

Energy Control Is an Operational Advantage

Warehouses and distribution centers will always require energy, but wasted energy is not inevitable. By understanding the unique challenges these facilities face and regularly reviewing how energy is used, businesses can turn energy from an uncontrollable overhead cost into a managed operational expense.

The most efficient facilities aren’t just moving faster; they’re ensuring every dollar spent on energy supports real productivity.

Cal Wilson / February 17, 2026

Business trends to look out for in 2026

To be successful in the world of business, it is critical to be aware of the current trends that are at the forefront. Even if your operation is thriving, being in the know could be prevalent for any future market demands. In this week’s issue of The Pulse, we will be talking specifically about four trends to keep an eye on.

1. E-Commerce

Even though E-commerce has been around for several years, this digital channel has expanded to become crucial within in the current business climate.  According to industry leader Novatize, “globally, online sales already account for just over 20% of total retail sales, and that share is expected to reach approximately 21.5% in 2026”. This digital channel is no longer in the experimentation stage but has quickly become critical for business operations and growth.

2. Sustainable practices

ESG (Economic, Social, and Governance), is the structure in which companies use to measure sustainability, ethical impact, and risk management in addition to conventional financial benchmarks. This practice is no longer considered a voluntary obligation, but a necessary responsibility in terms of a sustainable future. Companies looking for investors in 2026 may find themselves scrutinized on this topic.

3. Brand Partnerships

This marketing technique has exploded in the last few years as a result of the increase of digital marketing.  It entails strategic partnerships with select brands that enable companies to expand their reach and elevate their brand image. By teaming up with well considered, like-minded partners, companies can develop new products and services while gaining access to new audiences through cross-promotion.

4. Marketing targeting Generation Z

Generation Z, or Gen Z, has become a huge presence in the current workforce, and therefore businesses have pivoted their marketing techniques to reach Gen Z consumers successfully. If your business is hoping to reach more of this demographic in 2026, consider the following criteria for your marketing strategy:

  • Digital fluency
  • Preference for short-form content
  • Preference for authenticity and transparency behind brands
  • Passion for cause-based marketing and social impact
  • Tendency to shop, search the internet, and seek entertainment on mobile devices

 In conclusion…

These four trends are only a small portion of the ever-evolving direction of the current business world.  Keeping these top-of-mind as well as researching the multitude of other emerging business trends will keep your organization current and allow for room to achieve your future targets.

Cal Wilson / December 1, 2025

Why Businesses Are Embracing the Rise of Contactless Payments

Have you ever gone to a store to grab something quickly and realized you forgot your wallet? That’s where contactless payments come in. Contactless payments let customers tap their card or mobile device on the terminal to pay instantly, without inserting a card or entering a PIN. This payment method gained rapid popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its health and hygiene benefits. On top of that, it offers speed, convenience, and strong security, making it easy to see why so many people continue to use it. This trend is only growing, and as a business owner, here’s what you need to know and how it can help your business stay ahead.

Customers now expect contactless payments

Customers now expect contactless payment options more than ever. In fact, a study found that 63% of consumers find it irritating to enter a PIN, and 42% don’t even remember their PIN because they’re so used to contactless payments. If your business isn’t offering this option, you could be losing sales to competitors who do. Providing a fast, frictionless payment experience not only keeps customers happy but also encourages repeat purchases.

Speeding up your checkout process

Contactless payments can help speed up your checkout times. In fact, contactless transactions are up to two times faster than traditional chip card payments. That extra speed means that your team spends less time handling cash or manually entering payment information, creating a smoother experience for everyone. Overall, the faster flow helps your business run more smoothly, serve more people, and make the most of your staff.

Making loyalty programs easier to use

Contactless payments can also boost engagement with loyalty programs. When customers already have their devices out, it only takes one extra click to open your loyalty app. Some loyalty programs can even link directly to contactless payments, automatically applying rewards at checkout. This convenience makes it easy for customers to participate more often, driving repeat business and increased customer loyalty.

No additional fees for accepting contactless payments

A common concern for businesses is whether contactless payments come with higher fees. The good news is that services like Apple Pay treat contactless transactions the same as the traditional card-present (CP) payments you’re already accepting. The only exception is online purchases, which are considered card-not-present (CNP) due to higher fraud risk. However, that is the same standard applied to all online payments.

Strong security built into each transaction

While no payment method is perfect, contactless payments are highly secure. They use Near Field Communication (NFC) to transmit encrypted data between the customer’s device and the terminal, so no actual card information is sent; only a one-time, encrypted code. On top of that, these transactions are protected by the same fraud prevention systems banks use, helping protect your business from fraudulent charges. This means fewer disputes and less time spent resolving payment issues.

In conclusion…

Contactless payments are more than a convenience for customers; they can help your business run more efficiently behind the scenes. From faster checkout times to strong security features, this payment option can make a real difference to your business. Offering contactless payments can help you stay ahead of customer expectations while keeping your business competitive.

Cal Wilson / November 18, 2025

How to balance the holiday season with your business’ bottom line.

Depending on your industry – and area of focus – the holiday season can be slow for business. In fact, November to January might bring with it a looming sense of doom, not just related to shorter days and cooler weather, but instead, about your business’ bottom line.

In this article, we take a look at the holiday slowdown that impacts some businesses around this time of year, and some strategies for combatting any potential fiscal consequences it may have.

What is the ‘holiday slowdown’?

As many professionals know, this phenomenon happens when businesses or industries experience a decrease in activity or a slowdown in operations during the holiday season which can make an already tight time of year even more nerve-wracking.

Of course, not all industries are impacted, some sectors thrive during the holiday season. These include:

  • Retail and consumer goods businesses.
  • E-commerce.
  • Hospitality, travel, and tourism.
  • Subscription-based services that bill annually, starting in January.

Some of the industries most affected by the holiday slowdown season are:

  • Service industries that are not directly related to seasonal activities.
  • B2B businesses.
  • Retail businesses that cannot offer online shopping alternatives.

What is the culprit behind this slowdown?

There are a lot of reasons your business might slowdown during the holiday season. Some that might be impacting your business include:

  • Changing consumer priorities.
  • Employee vacations.
  • Business closures.
  • Budget constraints for both your business’ spending and customer spending.

For these reasons, you might find your suppliers take longer to deliver, your clients and contacts don’t return calls or emails, and, altogether, things are just harder to get done. If you’re trying to accomplish work as normal during the holiday season, it might feel like the rest of the world is plotting against you.

There are strategies for combating the slowdown.

Businesses often need to adapt their strategies to navigate the holiday slowdown. Having a plan for this season can often make the difference between starting the new year off strong, or in a deficit. Depending on your industry, there are many tactics worth considering:

  • The launch of holiday-specific promotions, discounts, and other deals to incentivize customer’s purchasing decision.
  • Developing campaigns to encourage the sale of pre-paid gift cards and certificates as holiday presents.
  • Investing in experimental marketing tactics to increase community engagement and local brand awareness.

Of course, depending on what your business specializes in , these might not be viable options.

Cutting costs is more effective than spending money.

There is a lot of advice out there that will tell you to put money and time into marketing campaigns, revamped customer service training, new product or service offerings, and other investments to survive the holiday slowdown season.

In general, spending money to make money makes sense. However sometimes it’s just another added worry during an already stressful season, and it’s not guaranteed to make the slowdown period any more lucrative. Having a plan to ensure your budget isn’t overextended during the holiday slowdown is the best  tool available to guarantee a successful holiday season, and an even better new year.

What does this “plan” look like?

  • Developing a comprehensive holiday business plan that includes sales forecasts and contingency efforts.
  • Analyzing past holiday seasons to identify trends and areas for improvement.
  • Managing inventory levels effectively to prevent overstocking or stockouts.
  • Ensuring you’re not overspending on any essential business expenses all year long.

We’ve found that it’s not uncommon for businesses to be overspending on expenses like telecom, payment processing fees, and waste disposal by around 25-30%. Maybe that’s not a huge problem during your peak season, but during a holiday slowdown, that could pose some real consequences. The best thing your business can do to survive slow periods , is make sure all your costs are optimized, all the time.

In conclusion…

Depending on your industry, holiday slowdowns may become unavoidable. While there’s lots of advice out there encouraging you to spend money on shiny new initiatives or campaigns, one of the best things you can do is look for ways to ensure you’re not overspending throughout the entire year.

Cal Wilson / November 17, 2025

How to balance the holiday season with your business’ bottom line.

Depending on your industry – and area of focus – the holiday season can be slow for business. In fact, November to January might bring with it a looming sense of doom, not just related to shorter days and cooler weather, but instead, about your business’ bottom line.

In this article, we take a look at the holiday slowdown that impacts some businesses around this time of year, and some strategies for combatting any potential fiscal consequences it may have.

What is the ‘holiday slowdown’?

As many professionals know, this phenomenon happens when businesses or industries experience a decrease in activity or a slowdown in operations during the holiday season which can make an already tight time of year even more nerve-wracking.

Of course, not all industries are impacted, some sectors thrive during the holiday season. These include:

  • Retail and consumer goods businesses.
  • E-commerce.
  • Hospitality, travel, and tourism.
  • Subscription-based services that bill annually, starting in January.

Some of the industries most affected by the holiday slowdown season are:

  • Service industries that are not directly related to seasonal activities.
  • B2B businesses.
  • Retail businesses that cannot offer online shopping alternatives.

What is the culprit behind this slowdown?

There are a lot of reasons your business might slowdown during the holiday season. Some that might be impacting your business include:

  • Changing consumer priorities.
  • Employee vacations.
  • Business closures.
  • Budget constraints for both your business’ spending and customer spending.

For these reasons, you might find your suppliers take longer to deliver, your clients and contacts don’t return calls or emails, and, altogether, things are just harder to get done. If you’re trying to accomplish work as normal during the holiday season, it might feel like the rest of the world is plotting against you.

There are strategies for combating the slowdown.

Businesses often need to adapt their strategies to navigate the holiday slowdown. Having a plan for this season can often make the difference between starting the new year off strong, or in a deficit. Depending on your industry, there are many tactics worth considering:

  • The launch of holiday-specific promotions, discounts, and other deals to incentivize customer’s purchasing decision.
  • Developing campaigns to encourage the sale of pre-paid gift cards and certificates as holiday presents.
  • Investing in experimental marketing tactics to increase community engagement and local brand awareness.

Of course, depending on what your business specializes in , these might not be viable options.

Cutting costs is more effective than spending money.

There is a lot of advice out there that will tell you to put money and time into marketing campaigns, revamped customer service training, new product or service offerings, and other investments to survive the holiday slowdown season.

In general, spending money to make money makes sense. However sometimes it’s just another added worry during an already stressful season, and it’s not guaranteed to make the slowdown period any more lucrative. Having a plan to ensure your budget isn’t overextended during the holiday slowdown is the best  tool available to guarantee a successful holiday season, and an even better new year.

What does can this “plan” look like?

  • Developing a comprehensive holiday business plan that includes sales forecasts and contingency efforts.
  • Analyzing past holiday seasons to identify trends and areas for improvement.
  • Managing inventory levels effectively to prevent overstocking or stockouts.
  • Ensuring you’re not overspending on any essential business expenses all year long.

We’ve found that it’s not uncommon for businesses to be overspending on expenses like telecom, payment processing fees, and waste disposal by around 25-30%. Maybe that’s not a huge problem during your peak season, but during a holiday slowdown, that could pose some real consequences. The best thing your business can do to survive slow periods , is make sure all your costs are optimized, all the time.

In conclusion…

Depending on your industry, holiday slowdowns may become unavoidable. While there’s lots of advice out there encouraging you to spend money on shiny new initiatives or campaigns, one of the best things you can do is look for ways to ensure you’re not overspending throughout the entire year.