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Fall Chores for the Small Business Owner

Written by Eloise Vitelli, Director of Program and Policy Development
 
Autumn leavesOne of the great pleasures of living in New England is the change of seasons. The transition to fall is a personal favorite. This time of year brings the bounty of the summer harvests, cooler temperatures, and beautiful fall colors. It is a time for fall chores: stack the wood, clear out the garden, tidy up the yard.

 
For small business owners, fall is a perfect time to both look back on the year that’s past and prepare for the year ahead. Before being overtaken by the busy holiday season just around the corner, consider checking off a few items on the ‘fall chore’ list found below!

 

Small Business Fall Chore List:

 
1. Review your business plan. The fourth quarter is a good time to look back and take measure of how well your business performed during the past months. It is important to pay particular attention to cash flow and any deviations from what you planned. What does it tell you about the ebb and flow of your business activity? Were your marketing strategies effective?

 
2. Look up and around. Like most small business owners, you probably spend a lot of time focusing on the day-to-day aspects of your business. As a small business owner, your vision often focuses on what is right in front of you – the next customer, what you need for tomorrow or next week. Take some time as the leaves fall, to look beyond the horizon. Be sure to take recharge your batteries and reconnect with your mission.

 
3. Plan ahead. At this time of year, many retail businesses will already have made preparations in anticipation of heavy holiday sales. Whether you generate a sizable portion of your sales this season or not, now is a good time to catch up on your record-keeping and set goals for the year ahead.

 
As you make your own fall to do list, it may help to keep this quote in mind:
“October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations above them once again.” — Hal Bourland

 
If you would like to learn more about starting your own small business, check out our upcoming tuition-free workshops and classes.