There are lots of decisions to make when you first launch a brand, and lots of of them are pretty basic. For example, what is your company name? This can be a tricky question because choosing something that’s memorable, hasn’t been taken before, and relates to your service or product may take some time to come up with, even if the main question is easy.
The same goes for other questions – for example, what should our hours of operation be like? For some it can seem apparent, in an office setting then 9-5 normally works for your staff. But what about coverage of vacation hours, such as when fulfilling orders coming in from the market you are developing? What if you offer remote service and can put your staff on a rotational pattern? What if, like most businesses, you thought it would be beneficial to operate 24/7, or at least seven days a week?
In this post, we will discuss how to make it mark assessment more easily.
Customer request
The first step in determining your hours of operation is understanding your customers. Take a look at your target group and find out when they’re most probably to need your service or product. This can be as easy as conducting a survey or gathering data from past sales. 
For example, if you run a coffee shop, you may find that your customers are busiest in the morning before work and in the evening during their break. By opening earlier and shutting later during these high-demand times, you can make sure that you are providing the best service to your audience. In addition, consider the exact time to open under operating laws.
Depending on where you are, you may only have the ability to open your event space until a certain time in the morning on a weekday. If you operate at night, this can even help you make additional decisions, such as if you hire a security guard, and perhaps they need to be equipped with night guard equipment and bulletproof vest? As you can see, decisions like these can comfortably evolve over time.
Employee Availability
Yours employees are the backbone of your business, and their schedule plays a big role in determining your hours of operation. Consider the availability of your current staff, in addition to any new hires you may need to create.
Do you have employees who can work mornings, late nights, or weekends? By considering your employees, you can make sure you have the coverage you need during your busiest times – but remember that remote work is a thing, just like outsourcing. Both can help you open your due time.
Business Expenses
Finally, it is vital to look at the financial side of your business when determining your operating hours. Longer hours may mean you need more employees or resources, which can impact your bottom line.
Consider factors such as energy costs, employee salaries and other expenses when making your decision. Keeping these costs in mind, you can make sure that you are operating at a profit, even during your busiest times, otherwise you can determine where to open, such as on public holidays, since paying your staff more may be worth it.
With these suggestions, you will make sure to determine the best hours of operation for your brand.
