Spring Clean Your SME

Is it just us, or has it been a particularly icy cold winter here in Oz? It depends on where you live of course, but if you’re in the south or south-east, you’ve probably spent plenty of mornings peeling yourself out of bed, hugging the kettle and scraping ice from the windscreen in your tracky daks.

This is Australia though, so the cold is now quickly being swept away by the warm spring air, and the promise of summer days spent languishing by the pool or beach is on the near horizon. It’s a time of renewal, a time for optimism, and if you’re an owner or operator of a SME, it’s also a great time to give your business a fresh start.

At Flight Centre Business Travel (FCBT), we love a good spring clean, so, pull on the rubber gloves, grab a broom, and let’s work through a checklist of things to do to get your business in top shape for the months ahead.

Spring is an excellent time to revisit your business plan. Take stock of what’s working and what’s not, and update your goals for the rest of the year. Whether it’s scaling up operations, launching new products, or improving customer service, a clear roadmap will help keep your business on track.

Spring is a good time to conduct a financial audit. Review your expenses, look for ways to cut costs, and ensure your invoicing and accounting processes are up to date. This will not only improve your cash flow but also give you a clearer picture of your financial health as you prepare for the end-of-year rush.

If you or your team travel for work, now is the time to assess and improve your travel program. Even better, why not ask us to help? At FCBT, we’re the experts in helping you to streamline your business travel, saving you time and money in the process. Here’s a few things we can help you do:

• Check your travel spend and look for cost-saving opportunities: This might include renegotiating rates with preferred suppliers, exploring volume discounts, or adopting more flexible booking options. We’d also look for patterns in spending that could indicate inefficiencies, such as excessive last-minute bookings, which tend to be more expensive.
   
• Update your travel policy, ensuring clarity and compliance: Are your guidelines clear? Does your policy align with your businesses current needs and values? Have all your company details been updated? Is your traveller information current? Are your expense rules in keeping with market conditions? Have current external factors like health and safety protocols been considered?
   
• Review supplier relationships: we can assess your agreements with airlines, hotels, and car rental companies, ensuring you’re getting the best possible rates and services. We can also check if you’re making the most of loyalty programs or corporate discounts. 
   
• Evaluate traveller experience: by talking to employees who travel frequently, we can understand their experiences and challenges. Are they satisfied with the booking process, accommodation, and overall travel experience? We can then address any common issues to improve satisfaction and productivity. This is also the perfect opportunity to ensure that your travel program balances cost-effectiveness with the comfort and well-being of your employees.
   
• Consider more sustainable travel: are you able to make more sustainable choices? This could include compensating for your carbon emissions through our Trees4Travel program, or simply choosing EV hire cars, or selecting hotels with a recognised commitment to sustainability, such as the Accor Group.

With more people shopping online, ensuring your website and social media channels are up to date is crucial. Refresh your content, check that all links and functionalities work smoothly, and perhaps run a spring-themed campaign to engage your audience. Consider implementing SEO best practices to boost your online visibility, ensuring customers can find you easily.

A tidy workspace can significantly improve productivity. Go through your office or store and clear out anything that’s no longer needed. This includes old paperwork, unused equipment, and outdated inventory. An organized environment will help you and your team work more efficiently and create a more welcoming atmosphere for clients or customers.

The approaching festive season can be incredibly busy, so it’s wise to start planning early. Stock up on popular items, hire additional staff if needed, and plan your marketing campaigns well in advance. Being prepared will help you manage the increased demand and capitalise on the holiday shopping season.