The holiday season is upon us once again. if you close for the winter season then you might finally have an opportunity to slow down and catch your breath. No matter what you celebrate or how you celebrate it's very important to reflect on the past season and say thanks to your staff and customers. A lot of the tips we talk about on this blog are about moving your business forward and making it better. However, this month we're doing something a little bit different and talking about giving thanks to everyone around you who makes your ice cream shop a success.
So what are some things we can be grateful for and what can we do to show appreciation and thanks? First and foremost, as a business owner, one of the most important things you can do is to spend some time with your staff outside of the shop and in everyday business situations. Whether it be going out for a pizza party, bowling, or any other activity, the main focus is to get out of the shop or store and thank your staff for everything they do.
The most successful businesses within the frozen dessert industry always have a family-first culture and atmosphere in their store. This means the owner really does care about their employees and conversely, the employees care for the owner. Since this family-like dynamic is critical to the success of any store or operation, it's hugely important to reward your staff for all their work and effort throughout the year. This small gesture of thanks doesn't have to be extravagant, expensive, or fancy, it can be very simple and non-complex as it is the thought that truly counts here.
Furthermore, it's important to let your customer base know that you are thinking about them over the holiday season. Whether it be through social media, emails, or a video message, a small thank you gesture toward your customers will go a long way. Another great benefit you can take advantage of during this time of the year is to offer promotions or incentives to your customers. Whether as a thank you for their loyalty or a way to entice them to come in during the new upcoming season. Think of promotions or coupons that you can offer them to make sure they keep coming back.
As a local business, we are all members of a local community. So no matter how big or small the community is, it's important to give back to it. There are many things you can do to give back such as working in a soup kitchen as a group, setting up a local Toy's-For-Tots campaign, running a canned food drive, or just donating time and money to worthwhile community service. Giving back to the community not only makes you feel good but it helps with your public relations as well.
So, as we close out the season and enjoy the holidays, let's remember to thank our staff members, employees, family members, customers, and the community for helping us through our journey.
