The 12 Days of Christmas Day 5 – Tidy up your workshop: streamlining business processes before the holidays

Today’s theme is all about giving your “workshop” a tidy-up. In simple terms, this means looking at how your business runs and smoothing out the things that slow the team down. Good business process management can bring calm in a season that feels full of fast-moving demands. 

The holidays can be busy for any business. Orders increase, teams work flat out, and tasks pile up. This is a good time to sort out the small things that get pushed to one side. A tidy workshop helps staff stay focused, customers get quicker support, and the whole team feels less stressed. 

Start by looking at the steps that take the most time. These might be approval loops, admin tasks, or customer handovers. Ask your team which parts feel messy or unclear. The people who use these steps every day know where time is being lost and often have simple solutions to long-standing problems. 

Once you have identified your main trouble spots, split them into two groups: quick fixes and longer fixes. Quick fixes might be cleaner naming for shared files, shorter steps for signing off or a more straightforward guide for handovers between teams. These small changes may seem minor, but during a busy month, they can save hours and reduce stress. 

For tasks that need more thought, set clear goals. If your order process feels slow, draw out each step from start to finish. Look for repeated tasks or where work sits still. Many businesses find that a simple rule change or a small tool smooths the entire process. Automation can also help with repetitive tasks such as reminders, stock checks, or data entry. When these tasks run in the background, your team can focus on customer needs rather than on admin. 

Clear communication is another key part of a tidy workshop. During the festive rush, a single place for updates helps staff know what to do and where to look. This means fewer mixed messages and less time spent digging through long threads. 

As you tidy your workshop for Techmas, check your progress along the way. Set short review points that focus on what has changed, what still feels slow, and what should come next. These small reviews help build good habits that last beyond the holiday season.  
 
Techmas Day 5: Smooth, calm, steady. Now’s the time to make your holiday season lighter, clearer, and easier. A tidy workshop is a present that keeps on giving to your team, your customers, and your head.