Why Fall is the Best Time to Optimize Your Business for a Strong Finish in 2024 and a Fast Start in 2025
Authored by Chris Austin, President of Ardiah Managed Services
As the crisp fall air rolls into Maine, our state’s businesses begin to wind down from the bustling summer season. For many of us, this time of year represents a quieter period, but make no mistake—it’s not a time to slow down completely. Instead, fall offers a golden opportunity to reassess, refocus, and set your business up for success in both the final months of the year and the beginning of the next.
At Ardiah Managed Services, we’ve seen countless businesses benefit from using this time wisely. Here’s why fall is the perfect moment to make those crucial operational changes, and how you can turn these adjustments into tangible gains for your business.
1. Preparing for the Holiday Rush: Why Your POS Systems Matter More Than Ever
If you’re in retail, food service, or hospitality, you know the holiday season can make or break your year. Did you know that 20% of retail sales come during the holiday season, with some small businesses seeing as much as 40% of their annual sales during these crucial months? (source: National Retail Federation). The same holds true for restaurants and food service, with more people dining out and ordering in as families gather.
Now is the time to ask yourself: is your point-of-sale (POS) system ready for the demand? If not, you might be losing out on sales, missing opportunities for seamless online orders, or even disappointing customers who expect the kind of integrated experiences they get from the big players.
Whether it’s setting up ecommerce solutions, integrating food delivery options like DoorDash, or upgrading your in-store system, now’s the time to make sure your POS is up to par. Don’t wait until you’re knee-deep in holiday orders to find out your system can’t keep up.
2. Cleaning Up Your Books: Don’t Let Disorganized Financials Hurt Your Borrowing Power
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that financial health is the backbone of business success. It’s especially true as we look at current trends in lending. Did you know borrowing rates may be starting to come down? As the Federal Reserve signals a potential slowdown in rate hikes, now could be a great time to review your borrowing options. If you’re thinking about expanding or investing, this might be the window of opportunity you’ve been waiting for—but with economic conditions constantly shifting, it’s hard to predict how long this trend will last. Now is the time to ensure your financials are in order so you can take advantage of any favorable lending conditions. But here’s the catch: your financials need to be in order to qualify for those great rates. We have talked about when doing your own books, how easy it is to let bookkeeping fall behind when you’re busy. But those disorganized books can cost you when you’re trying to secure a loan, not to mention when tax season rolls around. In fact, according to a study by SCORE, 40% of small business owners say bookkeeping and taxes are the worst part of running their business. That’s a big reason we recommend cleaning up your financials now—don’t wait until tax season or a loan application deadline to realize things aren’t as tidy as they should be.
Our team at Ardiah can help streamline this process, so you have everything in place, from day-to-day bookkeeping to tax preparation. Trust me, future-you will thank you when you’re ready to borrow or file taxes without the usual stress.
3. Payroll: Local Matters More Than You Think
Another area where businesses often falter is payroll management. If you’re using a large, out-of-state payroll service, you might think you’re getting convenience and savings, but I hear from clients all the time about the frustration of dealing with long wait times, hidden fees, and a lack of personal service. A survey conducted by Gallup found that 60% of small business owners feel disconnected from their payroll service providers. That’s a lot of dissatisfied business owners!
At Ardiah, we offer something different. Our team is right here in Maine, and we pride ourselves on personalized service. We charge flat rates with no hidden fees, so you can confidently budget your payroll expenses without worrying about surprises down the road. When something comes up, you can call us and speak to a real person—not an automated system or a representative halfway across the country.
What Happens if You Don’t Take Action?
It’s easy to put off making changes. I get it—change takes time, and we all have a million other things on our plates. But here’s the thing: when you don’t make the necessary updates—whether it’s your POS system, your bookkeeping, or your payroll services—you could be putting your business at risk.
For instance, failing to upgrade your POS system could lead to lost sales and frustrated customers, especially as more and more consumers move towards online shopping and delivery services. In fact, online orders grew by 20% last year alone, and they’re expected to keep rising. Can your current system handle that kind of volume?
And as for bookkeeping, not having your financials in order can mean missed borrowing opportunities, higher tax bills due to disorganization, and potentially even audits. Nobody wants that!
How Ardiah Can Help
At Ardiah Managed Services, we’re here to make your life easier. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your POS system, clean up your financials, or switch to a more reliable payroll service, we’ve got you covered. Our team is local, knowledgeable, and ready to help you make the most of this transition period.
Here’s what we can do for you:
- Integrated POS Solutions for retail, restaurants, and ecommerce
- Bookkeeping and tax preparation services that take the hassle out of your finances
- Local, personalized payroll services with no hidden fees
Fall is the time to finish strong, but it’s also the perfect moment to set yourself up for a fast start in 2025. If you make these changes now, you’ll be thanking yourself come January when you’re already ahead of the game.
Let’s talk about how we can support your business this fall—and beyond.
Chris Austin
President, Ardiah Managed Services
About the Author: Chris Austin is passionate about supporting small businesses and is the President of Ardiah Managed Services, a trusted provider of accounting, payment solutions, POS systems, payroll, and tax services. Chris and his team are dedicated to helping small businesses thrive by delivering tailored solutions and personalized support. If you have a small business support or service need, they would love to help! 207-230-4576 or email: [email protected]
