Summer business checklist: tips for busy and quiet businesses
December and January can feel like standing at an intersection. One path leads to summer business opportunities, the other to beach days and barbecues with family and friends.
Before you make a move, it’s time to check your summer game plan using our handy summer business checklist.
Preparing for the summer rush
Most of your preparation has already been done with new packaging, increased stock on hand and updated marketing strategies ready to go. The last piece of the puzzle is often staffing.
Hiring and supporting your staff
If you don’t have enough staff, you risk your employees being overworked and becoming stressed. If you have too many staff, there might not be enough jobs to do. Finding the right balance is tricky, but here are 3 ways to help.
Finding the right mix: hiring a mixture of short-term and long-term staff can keep your business in that sweet spot of having enough staff. Find out more about Employment types and hiring options.
Build variety: diversity matters. Mix backgrounds, skills, and experiences to strengthen your team and spark creativity. Find tips on Rethinking recruitment.
Keep it merry and safe: with Christmas around the corner, make sure your staff are supported to navigate busy workplaces and high emotions. Prep your staff and customers with WorkSafe Victoria’s Don't cross the line.
Review your insurance
Between all the hustle and bustle, it’s important to take some time to ensure your business is protected during the festive season and for the year ahead.
Don’t let accidents snowball: do you have adequate coverage to ensure staff and customers are safe? Make sure your Public Liability insurance is up to date.
Wrap it, ship it, insure it: make sure your transit insurance is up to date to cover loss, damage, or theft.
Cover your bases, not just your trees: explore extra insurance (equipment, office contents and Cyber Liability Insurance) that will cover you this season. Find out more with Find the right insurance.
Preparation is the most effective defence against disaster. Taking time now to plan can make an enormous difference when the unexpected happens.
Stay cyber safe this summer
Keep your data off the naughty list: cyber criminals will take advantage of busy small business owners as they juggle orders, staff schedules and last minute to-dos. Stay safe with CyberWarden’s Cyber security holiday guide for your small business.
Wrap up your data as carefully as your gifts: cyber safety starts with building a cyber safe culture. The best way to do that is by educating everyone in the business on how to stay safe. Build a cyber safe culture at work with Cyber Month 2025: building a cyber safe culture.
Changes to business over summer
‘Tis the season for shifts: whether it’s holiday hours or a quick break, keep your team and clients in the loop.
Update your business hours and details
The most common places customers look for opening hours include:
Google Business Profiles: if you don’t have a profile, create one to increase your business’s reach.
Social media accounts: add your opening hours to your account’s profile description or pin a post with the new business hours.
Websites: check your website’s header or footer to make sure your opening hours are correct. You may also have the hours listed on your ‘About Us’ or ‘Contact us’ pages.
Gift wrapping your business while away
Your business is like a present waiting for you when you get back. No one likes a messily wrapped gift. Whether it’s a weekend away or a full 2-week getaway don’t forget to secure your business before you go. Otherwise, you might come back more stressed than before you left.
If you’re going away but leaving someone in charge
Management handover: set out clear roles and responsibilities while you’re away so everyone knows what they need to do.
Escalation procedures: set clear expectations with the entire team on who to go to if something goes wrong. You can also brainstorm scenarios on when you need to be contacted.
Plan what you can: holidays typically create more work for the owner but by doing as much as you can beforehand, you’ll make it easier for the team when you’re away. Scheduling your marketing well in advance or paying invoices early are just some examples of reducing the team’s workload while you’re on holiday.
If you’re shutting down and going away
Security systems: if you have a security system make sure it’s working correctly. You may not have used it in a while.
Contact other businesses: let your neighbouring businesses know you’re away. That way if they see anyone going in and out, they’ll know it’s not you.
Turn off equipment and devices: make sure your devices and equipment are turned off to reduce fire hazards and unnecessary utility costs.
Planning for the year ahead
The most important asset in your business is you. Remember to give yourself some time off so that you can come back to business energised.
You can also take this opportunity to plan for the year ahead by reviewing your finances, marketing, business plans and more.
While your endless checklist of things to-do can’t be completed in one summer, prioritise your most important activities.
For more on business planning, check out: