Yep, it’s 96 degrees outside here in Ohio in August ‘07.  Still, in spite of the heat, it is time to get going on Holiday. 

Do What you Should Have Done Last January
We all know what happens when clients are calling on January 5th asking that you get Holiday decor out of their lobby, your crew gets the job done on time but only by cutting a few corners here, a few corners there.  Trees are squeezed, wreaths get bent, decor silently waits in dark storeroom for you to come in and fluff and fix.  Well, now is the time to do just that.  Get a cold drink and tackle the task. Check lighting, replace damaged ornaments.  In short, do as much work as you can now before its November and the Holiday crunch sets in.

Check Orders Outstanding
Maybe back in January you ordered more ribbon and ornamentation.  Pull out those orders now and check status.  If something you ordered is not going to be here, not be manufactured, you need to know now so you can order new replacement inventory. 

Check Crew Status
If you have fill in help that comes in for the fabricating and or installation of Holiday, now is the time to call and check their availibility for  the coming season.  Plus, if you see you’ll be needing even more help, maybe some of these existing crew members know of friends ot relatives that would be willing to work.  Better to get your ducks in a row now instead of the week before Thanksgiving. 

Sales…Now
Next, pull out all of last years Holiday work orders and client files and start emailing, faxing and making phone calls.  Does the Bank of the West want to repeat their 12 foot tree in the lobby?  What about their 6 branch offices?  Are they repeating the front door wreaths?  Get the order confirmation, write up the work order and go on with your life. 

No Surprises
The whole idea is take advantage of time and decent weather now to prime the Holiday pump.  Then, come November 1 you won’t be scrambling.  Happy Holidays!