Winter Blues

Well folks the cool weather has started and with it the drop in sales for some people. I must admit I have been busy finishing off my latest book so I did not notice the winter creeping in. But now its finished - well almost and I look up to find snow on my shoes - no not literally.

I had most of the book printed as a hard copy for the publisher and some of the tables corrupted. Happy days. Go back and fix them up. Don't you just love computers?

The book has taken me nearly three months and now I am looking at getting back to business. First on the agenda - get my paper work up to date for the year end. I have been having a little trouble with some of my systems so that will be the next thing.

Actually winter is a good time to check out all the little details that make the business hum. You know the sort of things - check out your bookwork to make sure all the information cross checks. Check on your ordering system to find out if there are items that have been ordered but either not delivered or not included in stock. I remember ordering some overalls for my husband one time and when they came in the woman in the shop just put them on the shelf - the other assistant sold them so when I went in again they had come and gone. I must admit to being a little on the browned off side. I never shopped there again. Perhaps you may need to see if that is happening in your business. Ignoring a customers needs is a surefire way to move the customer over to your opposition. Do you have a system in place to make sure that is not happening. Why not pick one area of your business and work on streamlining it. That is a great cure for the winter blues - keeps you busy - and makes the spring even more exciting.

Regards

Maggie