For many businesses, December isn’t just a time of holiday cheer—it’s one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year. With a 40% increase in calls on average during the festive season (source: Business Growth Trends), small businesses are under immense pressure to keep up with customer demand, enquiries, and sales.
Poor connectivity, outdated systems, and limited staff availability can quickly turn a busy period into a logistical nightmare. Let’s explore the challenges small businesses face during the festive period, why they occur, and how tailored solutions can help ease the strain.
The Festive Rush: Challenges for Small Businesses
- Increased Customer Enquiries
From product availability to delivery timelines, customers are more active than ever during December. A surge in enquiries can quickly overwhelm phone lines and online systems. According to a study by UK Business Voice, 60% of small businesses report struggling to handle the sheer volume of calls during peak seasons. - Connectivity Struggles
Reliable internet is vital during the festive rush. Poor connectivity can lead to dropped calls, slow payment processing, and delays in managing online orders. In fact, 46 minutes of the average workday is lost to slow internet speeds, which can translate into significant lost revenue during the busiest time of year. - Staff Shortages and Miscommunication
With many staff members taking time off for the holidays, managing resources effectively becomes a balancing act. Miscommunication between teams or with customers can result in missed opportunities and dissatisfied clients.
Why Businesses Struggle During December
The festive season creates a unique combination of high demand, limited resources, and an urgent need for efficiency. Without the right systems in place, businesses can find themselves firefighting instead of thriving.
Here are some common reasons why businesses feel the pressure:
- Outdated phone systems that can’t handle high call volumes.
- Lack of automated tools to inform customers of opening hours or manage voicemail.
- Poor connectivity leading to lost sales opportunities.
- Minimal IT support, leaving issues unresolved at critical moments.
The Impact of Poor Systems
When communication and connectivity systems falter, the effects can be far-reaching:
- Lost Revenue: Missed calls and downtime directly impact sales opportunities.
- Reduced Customer Satisfaction: Long wait times or poor call quality can frustrate customers during an already stressful time.
- Increased Staff Stress: Employees working harder to manage outdated systems often feel the strain, which can lead to errors or burnout.
How Connecting Britain Can Help
At Connecting Britain, we understand the challenges businesses face during peak times. That’s why we offer tailored solutions to keep your operations running smoothly, no matter the season.
1. Hosted Phone Systems
Our hosted telephony solutions can handle high call volumes effortlessly. With features like:
- Call Queues: Keep customers informed with wait times and hold music.
- Voicemail to Email: Never miss a message, even when you’re out of the office.
- Time of Day Routing: Automatically direct calls to the right person or department.
These features ensure seamless communication, even during the busiest periods.
2. Reliable Broadband Solutions
Slow internet is a productivity killer. Our broadband options, including SoGEA and leased lines, deliver fast and reliable connectivity to keep your systems running efficiently. Plus, our failover connections provide backup options to minimise downtime. When paired with great Networking, you get connectivity that keeps you connected, no matter what.
3. Automated Customer Messaging
Using tools like our Recording studio to help compile auto-attendants and on-hold messaging, means you can keep customers informed about festive opening hours, delivery timelines, or seasonal promotions without tying up staff.
The support doesn’t need to be just for the festive season, automated messages can be automatically turned off when it’s not the holiday season, or set in advance to give you one less thing to worry about.
4. Dedicated Support
Our team offers ongoing account management and support to ensure your systems perform at their best, even during peak times. We aim to give the best support to businesses in need, especially during the festive season!
Future-Proof Your Business Now!
The festive period is a valuable opportunity to strengthen customer relationships and boost revenue. With the right systems in place, you can maximise efficiency, reduce stress, and focus on what matters most—delivering excellent service to your customers.
If you’re ready to handle the festive rush with ease, get in touch with Connecting Britain today to explore our hosted phone systems, broadband solutions, and more.
Let’s make this December your most successful yet!
