Tag: travel

Attract Holiday Shoppers Online and In-Store

If you want a successful holiday season, your first task is to attract shoppers to your business. You can do this by creating enticing marketing promotions, decorating your store or website to capture attention, and offering a warm, welcoming atmosphere once customers arrive. Here are some creative ideas to help you draw in potential shoppers this season.

Brick-and-Mortar Retail Stores

  • Design eye-catching window displays. Use creative holiday décor—especially pieces that include movement—to attract attention. Feature new or seasonal merchandise and rotate displays every week or two to keep things fresh.
  • Showcase your bestsellers. Include a “Christmas Wish List” in your window with products ranging from your most affordable to your premium items to show that you have gifts for every budget.
  • Add digital displays. Use a small screen or slideshow to highlight featured products and inform potential customers of your inventory even when your store is closed.
  • Create a festive atmosphere. Holiday music and simple refreshments—such as hot cider, coffee, or cookies—encourage shoppers to linger.
  • Offer samples. If you sell food products, let customers taste-test items before buying.
  • Provide seating. A comfortable spot for companions of shoppers can extend how long customers browse.
  • Host exclusive experiences. Reward loyal customers with special early-access shopping events or trunk shows.
  • Plan special appearances. Invite Santa or a local musician to entertain shoppers and bring in more foot traffic.
  • Provide gift-wrapping services. Partner with a local school or club to offer gift wrapping as a fundraiser.
  • Give back. Donate a portion of profits to a local charity and promote this partnership in your advertising and in-store signage.
  • Highlight local products. Share the stories of your local suppliers with framed displays or flyers near their merchandise.

Restaurants

  • Offer limited-time holiday menus with festive entrées, desserts, and beverages.
  • Collaborate with nearby businesses. Partner with local retailers to host early shopping breakfasts or special dining-and-shopping packages.
  • Support local artisans. Allow artists or craftspeople to display and sell their items in your waiting area.
  • Create relaxation packages. Partner with a nearby spa for a “break from the holiday hustle” special, or offer a couples’ package that includes a massage or carriage ride.
  • Offer holiday catering or “take-and-heat” meals for customers who want festive food without the work.
  • Host themed events. Plan fun nights like “Ugly Sweater Night” or “Grinch Night,” and reward participants with a free appetizer or dessert.
  • Give back to the community. Support toy drives or local charities and reward customers who participate with discounts or free items.
  • Feature live entertainment. Invite local musicians or choir groups to perform during the season.

Online Shopping Sites

  • Run strategic promotions. Announce limited-time offers on your social media platforms and create urgency with countdowns or flash sales.
  • Engage your customers. Use email campaigns to promote new products and upcoming specials.
  • Add festive website elements. Incorporate holiday-themed banners, animations, or gentle falling snow to create a seasonal feel that keeps shoppers on your site longer.
  • Simplify purchasing. Offer free shipping, easy returns, and multiple payment options—including digital wallets—to reduce purchase hesitation.
  • Bundle gifts. Create curated gift sets and lists organized by price point, recipient, or interest.
  • Encourage return visits. Send special discounts to first-time buyers or reminders to customers who left items in their cart.

Final Thoughts

These strategies can help attract shoppers to your store, restaurant, or website—and keep them engaged once they arrive. Be creative, offer variety, and maintain a welcoming atmosphere. When your business feels festive and customer-focused, you’ll not only increase holiday sales but also build long-term loyalty that lasts well beyond the season.

Remote Work Trends You Should Know

The way we work has changed dramatically in recent years. Remote work, once limited to a few industries, became mainstream during the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as a necessity has now evolved into an expectation for many employees. Flexibility in work location is often used as a bargaining chip to attract and retain talent, and new workplace trends have emerged as a result.

In this blog, we’ll look at three of the most talked-about trends—coffee badging, workcations, and digital nomadism—and what they mean for small business owners and managers.

Coffee Badging

Coffee badging is when employees make a brief appearance in the office—long enough to swipe their badge, grab a coffee, and connect with colleagues—before heading home to work remotely. While not every employee literally swipes in, the term has stuck to describe this trend.

In fact, I sometimes coffee badge myself on days I work remotely. I’ll come in for a staff meeting, chat for a few minutes afterward, and then return home where I can be more productive without office distractions.

The positives of coffee badging:

  • Creates opportunities for employees to connect in person, which can spark collaboration and problem-solving.
  • Breaks the isolation of remote work.
  • Helps employees maintain visibility and presence in the workplace without being tied to the office full-time.
  • Supports work-life balance while keeping connections intact.

The drawbacks of coffee badging:

  • Brief interactions may not be enough to build strong teams.
  • Employees who live far from the office may be excluded.
  • Some workers show up only to be seen, without contributing.

How leaders can make coffee badging effective:

  • Focus in-office meetings on activities that benefit from face-to-face interaction.
  • Use these times to recognize and encourage employees.
  • Ensure fully remote employees aren’t left out of opportunities or recognition.
  • Create a welcoming environment with coffee, snacks, and comfortable spaces.

Workcations

A “workcation” happens when employees travel to a vacation spot but continue working while they’re away. The appeal is obvious—new scenery, a chance to unwind after work hours, and often a boost in creativity. But without boundaries, workcations can blur the line between work and rest.

Tips to make workcations effective:

  • Employees should communicate clearly with their manager about work hours, especially if in a different time zone.
  • Reliable internet is a must—check this before booking.
  • Take at least a few true vacation days during the trip to fully recharge.
  • Plan around mandatory meetings and let travel companions know your schedule.

Digital Nomadism

Digital nomadism goes a step further: it’s not just a week away, but a lifestyle of traveling and working from anywhere. Enabled by the internet, this trend has grown significantly in the last 15 years. Today, many digital nomads are not just freelancers but full-time employees negotiating this flexibility with their companies.

Benefits:

  • Flexibility to live and work anywhere.
  • Exposure to new cultures and lifestyles.
  • Potential for improved work-life balance.

Challenges:

  • Navigating work permits and visa requirements.
  • Understanding tax and employment laws.
  • Coordinating across time zones with colleagues.
  • Protecting sensitive company data abroad.

Final Thoughts

Remote work has created both opportunities and challenges. Coffee badging, workcations, and digital nomadism are trends that reflect employees’ desire for flexibility and balance. As a small business owner, you don’t need to embrace every trend, but it is wise to understand them.

Take time to evaluate which positions in your company can be done effectively outside the office. Develop clear guidelines for remote work, and balance flexibility with accountability. Done right, offering remote options can help you attract and retain top talent who might not otherwise consider your business.