6 Ways to Prepare for the Busy Season

Reflect on Last Season

Whether you hit or missed your mark last year, analyzing those efforts can resolve problem areas and reveal insights for overcoming challenges. That can be difficult work, but own your mistakes—and your successes—and take steps to capitalize on them.

-  Check your sales reports to pinpoint where you lost or profited.
-  Study your inventory levels and stock accordingly.
-  Order products and confirm when they’ll ship to ensure they’ll arrive on time.

Determining your inventory needs is tricky. If you stock too much, you’ll lose money. If you stock too little, you’ll likely lose customers. If you’re worried about overstocking products, contact vendors to confirm ship times so you can give customers accurate information if they want to order out-of-stock products. Your sales reports help you make those judgments. If you’re unsure, trust your gut or ask your peers for guidance on ATA Connect.

If you order fewer products, rework your budget to maximize your money. Consider spending excess money on marketing to generate interest in your products and services. It also ensures people know your business exists. Also study your website’s Google analytics to learn which web pages and products customers viewed or bought. Use that information to craft a productive marketing plan.

As you reflect on last year’s busy season, ask yourself if you felt overwhelmed. Was your work-life balance skewed? If you answered yes to either question, consider hiring help.

Hire and Train Temporary Help

Evaluate your staffing to determine if and where you need help. Do you need someone in sales or marketing? Could you benefit by hiring an instructor? Or do you need a cashier or bow technician? Read the ATA article “4 Signs You Need to Hire Help” to learn how temporary help can benefit your store.

Do you need help writing a job description? The ATA can assist. Log into the ATA’s Resource Website for sample job descriptions. Click here for login instructions. You can also contact Nicole Nash, ATA’s range and retail programs manager, for tips to promote the job and interview candidates.

Once you identify the position you need, hire someone with the skills and personality to fill the void. Once they’re onsite, train them to succeed, and review your store’s policies, procedures and product information. Make sure your hires know their responsibilities and your expectations.

If hiring help isn’t in your budget, consider delegating tasks and cross-training employees. Versatile employees reduce your risks. Capable, well-rounded employees can step in whenever and wherever needs arise.