Small business lender OnDeck Australia debunks the myth Christmas is a sales bonanza for small enterprises and offers 5 tips for small businesses to navigate seasonal cashflow challenges.
- Less than one in four (22%) small businesses say Christmas is a peak revenue period.
- Only one in two (49%) small retailers say the festive season is a leading sales period.
- For small businesses in non-retail sectors, Christmas can bring increased costs and reduced revenue creating opportunities for brokers to meet financing needs.
- OnDeck’s unsecured Lightning Loans allow brokers to help their small business clients navigate what can often be a challenging season for cashflow.
- OnDeck offers 5 cashflow tips brokers can share with small businesses to navigate the holiday season.
Research by leading small business lender OnDeck Australia has dispelled the myth that the festive season is a sales bonanza for the nation’s small businesses, and this is creating opportunities for brokers.
Among 500 small businesses surveyed by OnDeck, just one in five (22%) said Christmas is a peak revenue period.
Drilling down further into OnDeck’s findings, only one in two (49%) small retailers point to the festive period as a critical sales period.
Mr Cameron Poolman, CEO of OnDeck Australia, said, “It is a testimony to the strength and resilience of small business in Australia that the majority of small enterprises don’t rely on Christmas as a make-or-break sales event.
“Undoubtedly, the festive season can be a leading sales period for some small businesses. However, it has the potential to bring significant challenges to others, especially those businesses operating in industries such as construction that often shutdown completely over the holiday period.
“This creates opportunities for brokers to have important conversations with their small business customers. Commercial financing can bridge the cashflow gap for businesses that face a rapid upswing in annual leave expenses at a time of slowed or completely halted business activities.”
With only weeks left until Christmas and the New year holiday period, brokers can help their small business customers access finance sooner.
As an online, small business specialist lender, OnDeck provides a simple, streamlined application process, with funds available in as little as two hours through OnDeck’s unsecured Lightning Loan® product available for up to $175,000 in funding.
5 tips brokers can share with their small business clients to navigate the holiday season
Cameron Poolman suggests five tips brokers can share with their small business customers to help enterprises maximise the festive season’s trading potential and minimise costs:
1. Leverage rapid finance to tap into discounted trading stock
Small retailers may be able to secure discounted trading stock by offering faster or upfront payment terms to suppliers. Timely access to funding can give small business retailers the cashflow needed to leverage discounts or special offers from suppliers.
2. Bolster online capabilities
As more Australians head online for purchases, now is the time for small businesses to invest in the enterprise’s website and e-commerce capabilities. It gives a small business an opportunity to compete with larger businesses. Brokers can help small business customers consider how additional funding could be the key to upgrading IT systems and security while taking advantage of possible end-of-year discounts on IT hardware.
3. Start recruiting early
Faced with a tight labour market, small businesses that need to hire additional staff for the festive season should have their recruitment efforts underway as soon as possible. This is especially the case if permanent team members have requested leave over the Christmas period. Brokers can help their small business clients secure finance to bolster recruitment efforts and offer attractive remuneration.
4. Encourage small business owners to have some ‘me’ time
Previous OnDeck research has highlighted that small business owners rarely enjoy a break even over Christmas. Yet taking a break allows business owners a valuable opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate. With the right funding, businesses can hire a locum or temporary staff, giving business owners a valuable opportunity to unwind ahead of the New Year.
5. Look for turbo-charged funding solutions
Christmas is almost upon us and small businesses need to act fast to manage cashflow. OnDeck’s Lightning Loans® are available for up to $175,000*, with funds available as fast as two hours to approved applicants^. To get the ball rolling with an application, brokers only need to upload six months of a small business’s bank statements to the secure OnDeck portal.
Mr Poolman said, “With only weeks remaining until Christmas, brokers have a narrow window of opportunity to help their small business customers access fast, effective finance that can be the make or break factor for the venture to navigate the busy weeks ahead.
“It may be the silly season but smart use of commercial lending can be the factor that allows brokers to help small business clients manage the holiday period, and set out on the path for success in the New Year,” concluded Mr Poolman.
Important information from OnDeck:
* Loan amounts and loan terms are for illustrative purposes only, which the lender may adjust in its sole discretion without notice. Eligibility and approval are subject to a standard credit assessment and the applicants’ business circumstances which may include information such as industry, time in business, estimated revenue and other data. Not all loan amounts, term lengths or rates will be available to all applicants. Loans are subject to lender approval. Fees, terms and conditions apply.
^The timeframe required to process and fund loan applications may vary for each individual application. Factors such as the completeness and accuracy of application materials, verification processes, and external circumstances can influence the processing & funding timelines.
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