Hip Hop Happy Christmas, from Findlay and Co

Bubbles check, presents, check!

Consider what must be done before you pop the Christmas bubbles - it might save you a hangover and boost New Year celebrations!

1.       If your business experiences a seasonal influx, make sure to plan the necessary marketing and increased staff measures.  When will your staff be taking their holidays?

2.       Follow up outstanding debtors: people (and businesses) are more cash strapped in the New Year so politely encourage payment prior to Christmas - it will help your cash flow, which may be light if you shut down over Christmas and New Year.

3.       Are you sending emails, Christmas cards, or corporate gifts to top clients?  What about presents or bonuses for your staff?  Consider the rules around claiming entertainment expenses.

4.       Have lots of business cards and other marketing collateral on hand - unexpected networking can occur anywhere you’re on holiday.  Magnetic car signs attract welcome custom also.

5.       Have you correctly calculated, set up and approved holiday pay for payroll to occur while you’re on holiday?

6.       Need guidance or support from us, your lawyer or other business advisor?  Engage them well before Christmas - most offices shut down for a minimum of two weeks.

7.       Have you performed a year-end computer detox, updated your virus software and backed up your server offsite?

8.       If your business is shutting down, make sure your voicemail message and website mention closing date info and emergency contact details.  Also, who will be responding to work related emails?

Timely reminders

§    Provisional tax payment due Jan 15 for March, July or November balance dates, or Jan 28 if you have a December balance date

§    Your GST return and payment may also be due Jan 15

§    Interim student loan payments due Jan 15

§    Quarterly FBT return and payment due Jan 28

Oh yeah Race the Train...!!

A summery summary!!

We hope this finds you well and preparing to wave goodbye to 2012!

Twenty twelve in all her glory was a leap year in which NZ got more Talent and we crowned our second ‘Hottest Home Baker’. We beat the Aussi’s in the medal table at the Summer Olympics, but they claimed them as theirs anyway. They tried to nick award-winning singer Kimbra, so we stole their TV show The Block!

Kim Dot Com got as much coverage as Gangnam Style. Barack was reelected US President whilst the East Coast of America recovered from the enormous hurricane ‘Frankenstorm Sandy’. Felix the Austrian skydiver broke the sound barrier (with his body) with a 39km skydive from space. Etta James died and The Hobbit was born.

There was much ado about sugar being bad for us but we were consoled by the launch of the ipad Mini. Facebook bought Instagram for $1 billion and Kate Middleton got pregnant in the year of the Queens Jubilee.

Ironically the ‘end of the world’ Myan prediction shares the month of December with the Kyoto protocol’s conclusion date, a policy designed to save the world?

This was the year that was….roll on 2013.

**Thanks Lake Wanaka Tourism for the photo...pretty!

December wind-down checklist

Consider what must be done before you pop the Christmas bubbles - it might save you a hangover and boost New Year celebrations!

1.       If your business experiences a seasonal influx, make sure to plan the necessary marketing and increased staff measures.  When will your staff be taking their holidays?

2.       Follow up outstanding debtors: people (and businesses) are more cash strapped in the New Year so politely encourage payment prior to Christmas - it will help your cash flow, which may be light if you shut down over Christmas and New Year.

3.       Are you sending emails, Christmas cards, or corporate gifts to top clients?  What about presents or bonuses for your staff?  Consider the rules around claiming entertainment expenses.

4.       Have lots of business cards and other marketing collateral on hand - unexpected networking can occur anywhere you’re on holiday.  Magnetic car signs attract welcome custom also.

5.       Have you correctly calculated, set up and approved holiday pay for payroll to occur while you’re on holiday?

6.       Need guidance or support from us, your lawyer or other business advisor?  Engage them well before Christmas - most offices shut down for a minimum of two weeks.

7.       Have you performed a year end computer detox, updated your virus software and backed up your server offsite?

8.       If your business is shutting down, make sure your voicemail message and website mention closing date info and emergency contact details.  Also, who will be responding to work related emails?

Love our town!

Celebrating our town Wanaka styles with wine, swimming, food, music, sunshine, family and fun.