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54 September | 2023 54 Business Transportation ere is no getting around it: Large-scale décor, like trees, wreaths, holiday figures and ornaments, require large-capacity transportation solutions. You will also need vehicles that can accommodate your installation teams. Consider whether your existing vehicles will meet these needs or if a rental box truck (or several) will better serve you. During the holiday season, vehicle rental can go up in price for last- minute reservations, so reserve rental vehicles—and compare prices—well in advance. Check out reliable truck-rental companies such as U-Haul, Penske and Ryder, as well as the truck rental divisions of Hertz, Enterprise and Budget. Safety Prioritize the safety of your team and clients during installations and removals, and familiarize yourself with local laws and ordinances, which may vary from municipality to municipality and from state to state. Provide necessary safety equipment such as gloves, safety glasses and harnesses when working at heights, and utilize staffers only on tasks they are trained to complete safely. Train your team on proper installation techniques, electrical safety, ladder safety and more. Consider hiring a handyperson specializing in PA (production assistant) work if the job is large. Inventory Management Develop a system for managing your seasonal decoration inventory. Include detailed notes including quantity, condition and location of each asset. To achieve this, create a simple spreadsheet with drop- down options or invest in an inventory-management software such as Sortly (rated by Forbes as "Best for Small Retailers and Asset Tracking"). Other good options include Cin7, Zoho, Fishbowl, NetSuite and Monday. com. Maintaining an accurate inventory from the time of receiving through completion of each job will enable you to have the necessary decorations for each project, protecting your profit margin. is will also make it easier to track and troubleshoot if certain items are more prone to damage or failure. Equipment and Tools Determine what equipment and tools you will need to complete your decorating services. is may include ladders, extension cords, lights, hooks, fasteners and other installation materials— and even additional vehicles (see No. 5, below). Outfit each vehicle in your fleet with a basic production kit including important tools and design supplies, including gaffers tape (it leaves less residue than duct tape) and small LED flashlight, all of which can be housed in totes, tool boxes or tackle boxes. Post an inventory of the items on each tote or box, and regularly maintain and replace items as needed.

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