We know it’s been a hard-fought year across the board. Margins are lean, workloads uneven and confidence has been tested. As we head into the Christmas shutdown, many will feel the squeeze, cashflow is tight, holiday pay looming and clients are closing their doors early. This is the time to take a breath, plan ahead and make a few simple moves that will protect your cash and your headspace over the break.
1. Reconnect before you clock off
Before the final wind down, if you don’t already have systems to do this, ring or visit a few clients from the past 12 to 36 months (and maybe take something with you). Ask if they need any last-minute orders, servicing or quoting for work in January. A couple of small jobs or forward bookings can smooth cashflow and keep your team visible when competitors go quiet.
2. Invoice early and chase politely
Send out all major invoices by Friday the 18th, with a quick mop-up of smaller ones by the 22nd. That still gives clients and finance teams time to pay before offices close. Where progress claims or retentions are due, follow up while people are still around. A friendly check-in (“just making sure our invoice reached you before the break”) often gets results faster than a formal reminder.
3. Forecast the dip
List every outgoing due before the break, like wages, PAYE, GST, holiday pay, insurance, rent. Then project receipts through to mid-January. If the gap looks tight, talk to your bank or finance partner now. Temporary overdraft extensions or invoice finance facilities are far easier to arrange before Christmas than during it, and it always looks better if you are organised.
4. Secure supply and support
Talk to key suppliers early about delivery dates, account terms and holiday closures. For those using hire, or if you’re dependent on materials or goods, confirm what stock or services you will need in the first weeks of January to avoid downtime if shipments and resources are delayed.
5. Tighten, don’t stall
Review spending. Pause non-essential costs, but don’t stop your quoting or marketing altogether. Even a short email or social post reminding customers you are taking January bookings keeps momentum going.
6. Look after your team and yourself
Tired people make mistakes. Make sure your team knows holiday pay dates, break policies and return-to-work expectations. Encourage proper rest. A team that re-starts in January clear-headed will deliver far more than one that burned out in December.
Cash pressure is part of the cycle but planning and communication take most of the sting out. Whether you are building, supplying or servicing, stay visible, stay steady and start the new year ready rather than reactive. χPN
Disclaimer – While all care has been taken, Johnston Associates Chartered Accountants Ltd and its staff accept no liability for the content of this article; always see your professional advisor before taking any action that you are unsure about.
JOHNSTON ASSOCIATES, Level 1, One Jervois Road, Ponsonby, T: 09 361 6701, www.jacal.co.nz
#ponsonbynews #iloveponsonby #loveponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #onlyponsonby #ponsonbyroad #Greylynn #freemansbay #westmere #ponsonby #hernebay #stmarysbay #archhill #coxsbay @followers #followers @everyone #everyone #waitematalocalboard @highlight
