Christmas is less than a week away and many offices are closing their doors for a few weeks of well-earned rest. But holiday hours can be different for RTOs, especially if there are courses running over summer and/or new enrolment periods opening in early January. Do your students and suppliers know how and when to contact you this silly season?
Here are a few things we recommend you think about before closing the doors on Friday 22nd December to ensure your business runs smoothly:
1. Communicate with your customers
If you haven’t already done so, issue a communication to your students and any other business stakeholders, highlighting the hours your business will be open over Christmas and New Year. This could be an email or a post on social media, or a notice on your e-learning system. A hand-written note posted on the door of your office or classroom is not recommended – not only is it unprofessional but it also advertises to would-be thieves when there will be no-one on the premises.
2. Send a reminder
In the midst of all that Christmas cheer it can be easy to forget about going back to school. If you are running courses over the summer holidays, schedule a reminder email or text to go out to your enrolled students the day before they are due to start class. They will appreciate your helpful service and hopefully alert you if there is anything that will prevent them from attending.
3. In case of emergency
Are there any people in your business who will continue to operate while the majority of staff are away? If so, make sure they have access to an emergency contact number in case there are any issues. For example, a teacher may be unable to operate vital equipment or access locked storerooms. Who will they call to resolve the issue quickly?
4. Reduce your power consumption
If there will be no staff on the premises, take the opportunity to reduce your power costs by turning off any systems or tools that will not be used. This includes lights, printers and computers, TV screens and other non-essential electrical items.
5. Make a plan to plan
Take the time to relax over the holidays so you return fresh for 2018. Make a plan to start your first week back with a positive outlook for the year ahead by scheduling time to complete your business planning. Not only will it free your mind from work stresses over the break, but it will also ensure you don’t dive straight into the detail and forget to set a firm foundation for success in the New Year.
To help you with your 2018 business plan, our team will be back in the RTO Accountants offices from Wednesday 3rd January. Why not schedule an appointment now to meet with us?