Overcoming Your Company’s Most Common Springtime Emergencies

With the month of April about to give way to May, the spring season is officially starting to take hold. The weather is warming up, the days are looking sunnier and business owners everywhere are beginning to enjoy increases in foot traffic.

Naturally, warm and sunny days encourage people to leave their homes more often. While this presents greater opportunities to grow sales, business owners also need to be aware of the some of the hardships that the spring season can present. They include everything from weather-related emergencies to seasonal fluctuations in demand.

Protect your property from inclement weather.

We’re not saying that most Canadians aren’t happy about the end of winter. It’s just that spring can be notorious for its unpredictable weather. Heavy rain, thunderstorms and even tornadoes in some regions can lead to flooding, wind damage and power outages. Of course, these occurrences can severely impact small businesses. It’s essential for you to have a plan in place to protect your property and ensure the safety of your employees and customers.

“Inspect and repair loose or damaged building components such as siding, shingles, roofing and brickwork, and remove trees and branches that could fall on the roof or on power lines,” recommends Federated Insurance, “Retrofit your property, including bracing and strapping the roof; adding fasteners, ties and reinforcements; and making entry doors more wind resistant.”

Prepare for an onslaught of seasonal allergies.

All of those blooming flowers and trees, during the springtime, make for a very beautiful and inviting atmosphere. However, for many Canadians, they also create major triggers for seasonal allergies. Pollen can be a major culprit in creating employee absenteeism and decreased productivity. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of seasonal allergies and take steps to minimize exposure. For example, you may need to keep your windows closed to maintain good indoor air quality.

“Pollen can be a real spring buzz-killer, on account of how it can make up to 25 percent of your workforce sick as a dog with spring allergies,” reports Hamilton, Ontario’s Shipton’s Heating and Cooling, “Having your indoor air duct system professionally cleaned is the only way to remove trapped (allergy-triggering) debris in one fell swoop and prevent it from re-entering your indoor air supply.”

Plan for fluctuations in consumer demand.

Does your business rely on seasonal products or services? For example, a landscaping business may see an increase in demand for lawn care services. Meanwhile, a retail store may experience a slowdown in sales as customers spend more time outdoors. Assess the behaviours of your company’s target audience and be prepared to adjust your operations and marketing strategies to meet its changing demand patterns.

“An inventory planning solution that provides historical analysis and inventory forecasting can prevent these issues,” informs Meredith Flora of ShipBob, “The historical data will help make predictions about when and how much to restock, so businesses can reorder enough inventory in time for the increase in demand.”

Learn about your merchant advance options.

For many years, clients of Synergy Merchants have used our merchant cash advance program to get through emergency situations. To learn all about how we can help your business survive a common springtime emergency, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-718-2026 or email us at info@synergymerchants.com. You can also apply online for a free, no obligation quote!