Christmas this year falls on a Wednesday so an unfriendly middle of the week which means our business will be closed for only Wednesday and Thursday otherwise it remains open. I am sure that the following Saturday will also be busy so this is not what I would call a holiday period. I used to look forward to Christmas many years ago, but not so much these days.
When you own your own business you see holidays or public holidays as a nuisance that get in the way of being able to complete tasks. Even now people tell me when the public holidays are as I am clueless.
I actually find it quite amusing because the staff know more about this than you do and this subject was raised yesterday on what days we will be closed for Christmas and New Year. It sucks being involved in this industry at this time of the year as we are dispatching many Christmas presents right up until Christmas Eve with people collecting for loved ones.
The funny thing is I was no different and would have known well in advance of what to expect and looked forward to the Christmas being on a Monday. Online has changed this though and that would now mean you work the Saturday and Sundays because orders do not stop flowing. Online keeps you on your toes and you need to make sure you have booking slots booked well in advance to deliver to the online platform warehouses.
I can recall receiving a phone call on the evening of the 23rd from a store manager in panic he had no more stock of a particular kiddies bike and delivered stock to him 600Km away within 7 hours. This meant driving through the night and he was waiting for me when I arrived. Those days have gone and there is very little personal service with very few phone calls and all emails. I do miss that interaction and we have definitely lost the relationships we once had.
New years Day is also a Wednesday so I guess we will do shift work over the two weeks of Christmas and New Year and try and get ahead beforehand. The staff will actually have more time off than my family who will be the ones working right through. Somebody needs to open and close anyway and oversee the daily operation.
With trampolines not up to speed this year due to a shortage of material that was never ordered properly it may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Next year however I expect the holiday season trampoline sales to be off the charts which is something to look forward to. If you are working when everyone is off having fun then you may as well be very busy making it all worthwhile.
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