■ A fortnightly business advice column by Whakatāne accountant and business adviser, Jason Lougher

As the year gets close to winding down, Christmas and summer in the Bay of Plenty arrive all at once.

For some business owners it is a mad rush to the finish line. For others, it is the quiet wait before everything starts again. It is a reminder that this time of year looks different for everyone.

For hospitality and retail, December can feel like one long sprint. The town is alive, customers are spending, and the days are full.

For some, it might even feel like the end of a very long economic winter.

For trades and professional services, it is often the opposite.

Projects wrap up, staff head off on leave, and the phone starts to quieten down. Different industries experience this season in different ways, but one thing stays the same: how you plan for the next few months often decides how the start of the new year feels.

Plan before you pause

Most of us plan Christmas dinner better than we plan Christmas cashflow. A little time spent thinking ahead now can make the difference between a restful break and one spent worrying about January.

Ask yourself:
■ What cash is coming in, and when?
■ What is going out – wages, rent, or suppliers?
■ Who is around to handle what needs to keep moving?

It does not need to be complicated. The goal is to make sure you can actually switch off and enjoy the break.

Forecast before you relax

Every summer, someone gets caught out by cashflow often the same person who promised last year would be different.

December feels good. Invoices get paid, sales spike, everyone is spending. Then January rolls around, and the outgoings do not slow down just because you have.

It is also the time when many of us face provisional tax, GST, and PAYE payments, before rolling into terminal tax and another round of provisional tax – all while juggling GST and PAYE again. That cycle can hit hard if you have not planned for it.

A quick cashflow forecast helps more than most realise.

Start with your current bank balance, then map out what is due to come in and go out over the next four months. It is not about being perfect, just clear.

If you are handy with Excel, download your cashflow report from Xero or MYOB for the same period last year and use that as a starting point.

Adjust it for what you have noticed this year, maybe higher costs, slower debtors, or a busier month. Keep updating the sheet as you go.

If you prefer something automatic, tools like Xero Analytics Plus, Fathom, etc, can do the heavy lifting.

The best system is the one you will actually use. And remember, your bank manager will probably be enjoying their own Christmas break.

If you think you might need temporary support, plan early and talk before everyone disappears.

A bit of foresight can make the difference between getting help and missing it by timing alone. The goal is simple: no surprises.

Keep the good energy

December has its own buzz. It is easy to focus on what has gone wrong, but this is the time to notice what has gone right.

Take a few minutes to look back:

■ What worked?
■ What did not?
■ What gave you energy this year?

A few notes now will help you start January with focus instead of fatigue. And if you have a team, finish the year well. Say thank you. Recognise effort. It does not have to be fancy – a barbecue, a coffee, or a short message can mean a lot.

The value of the summer slowdown

The quiet weeks after Christmas are not a problem to fix; they are a built-in pause. For some, it is a chance to catch their breath.

For others, it is the perfect time to think, plan, and get a few things in order before the year really begins. If you are taking time off, take it properly. Step away from the phone, let your brain rest, and give yourself the space to think clearly.

If you are working through, use the quiet to tidy up systems, set goals for the new year, or finally deal with that “one day” list.

A small-town rhythm

In the Eastern Bay, business and community overlap. You see your clients at the beach, your suppliers at the supermarket, and your team at the same summer events. That is what makes this place special. Everything connects.

So, whether your summer is flat out or calm, make it count. Rest properly, plan smartly, and start the new year knowing where you are headed.

Most of us got into business chasing a bit more freedom. Christmas is a good time to remember to use some of it, and if you see me out and about, feel free to stop me and say hi – let me know what you think of my ramblings.

■ Jason Lougher is the owner of Calc Business Advisors & Chartered Accountants. Our team advise businesses throughout the Eastern Bay of Plenty — and across New Zealand. Like this article or want to chat? Feel free to send me an email: [email protected]