It isn't just retailers hawking their gifts during the holidays that should be profiting. Many service businesses who have built brilliant brands have far more work on their plates than they can handle. How can you buff up your branding to win every December?

For many, rocketing revenues during the holidays isn't about attracting new businesses but managing the volume of business that is already coming in while juggling vacation schedules. Inevitably customers always surge in at the last minute with end of year deadlines. No one wants to spring into the New Year behind schedule. Unless you are prepared to deal with staffing issues and are able to keep the wheels turning at top speed even while you are eating your turkey dinner, your brand could suffer.

This doesn't mean you personally have to work or that you cannot let any of your core team members relax for five minutes, but it does mean that you need to be prepared if you are going to protect your branding. Make sure that you have toll free lines set up and have forwarding and routing instructions in place to handle the holiday rush and to work around your time out. Reserve time at call centers and with virtual assistants well in advance to pick up the slack and to maintain great customer service.

Bolster your revenues for this time next year by branding your business as the reliable partner and provider that will get your clients through when others fall short. Use this to lock down great new contracts for the following 12 months, take orders early and always be reinvesting in your branding.

Don't wait for Christmas Eve to launch new marketing campaigns either. Start marketing for end of year business months in advance and remember to thank those who have helped as the year closes, reminding them of how valuable you are to them for their future needs.