Your Holiday Business Closure Checklist

With the countdown to the festive season already upon us, how prepared is your business to close for the holidays? Use this handy checklist to tick off the essentials before you lock up and leave.

Update your holiday trading hours

Here are a few simple ways to communicate changes to your trading hours over the holiday period:

• Add an update to your email signature, invoices and quotes
• Include a note in an eNewsletter, Christmas cards to clients, and social media posts
• Send an email to clients, suppliers, staff, customers and vendors
• Ensure your team has set up an auto-responder email with details of closures and who to contact in an emergency. This may be a mobile number, Facebook account or other digital formats.
• Update your website, Google Business Profile, online stores or support site with the closure dates using a banner, headline, or temporary pop-up.

Backup your servers and turn off equipment

Double-check that your backup cycle for your computers and servers occurs just before and after your shutdown. Instruct your IT team on who to contact if there is a problem.You may think you need to switch off all office equipment, but these are the ones to leave on:

• Refrigeration units
• Security systems
• Phone system
• Fax machines
• Servers and backup systems.

Facilities checklist

Work through these security and facilities tips before your holiday closure:

• Test your security gear, such as fire alarms, access control systems, cybersecurity software, and CCTV systems
• Lock up and arm your site when you close and ensure no cash is left behind
• Leave the lights on, or even better, set them on a timer to deter intruders
• Unplug unnecessary devices, including coffee machines, photocopiers and air conditioners
• Protect your company's data using a VPN to check your office email on the go rather than public Wi-Fi.
• Clean out the kitchen fridge and request all staff to do a general clean
• Empty all bins
• Water all plants
• Secure all valuable business assets (e.g. documents) in a safe
• Shred all sensitive but unneeded business documents
• Check fire doors are not blocked
• Shut and lock all windows

So, just like Santa Claus, you've made a list and checked it twice. Head out the door and enjoy the holidays whether you plan to be naughty or nice;)