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Annette Slavik, Prodigy Complete IT
The holidays are hectic for everyone — jobs are wrapping up, invoices are flying, and crews are trying to take a few days off without everything falling apart.
Between last-minute client requests and year-end projects, it’s easy for small slip-ups with your technology or communication tools to cause unnecessary frustration — for your customers, your vendors, or your own team.
So here’s your no-nonsense “Holiday Tech Manners Guide” — tailored for Tampa Bay contractors, manufacturers, and trade businesses — to help you keep operations smooth, customers happy, and nobody’s day ruined.
- Update Your Hours Everywhere (Before The Angry Calls Start)
Picture this: a client drives across town from St. Pete to pick up materials because Google says you’re open — only to find the gate locked and lights off. Now you’ve got one frustrated customer and a bad Google review waiting to happen.
Before the season kicks in, update:
- Your Google Business Profile (the big one!)
- Facebook, Instagram, Yelp, and anywhere customers might look
- The banner on your website with a quick note about your schedule
- Apple Maps and Waze (yes, people actually use them)
Try something friendly like:
“Happy Holidays from our Clearwater team! We’ll be closed December 24–26 to enjoy time with family and reopen on the 27th. Thanks for supporting local businesses this year!”
- Set Out-Of-Office Replies That Sound Like Humans
If you’re taking a few days off, make sure customers and suppliers know when you’ll be back. A simple, friendly auto-reply does the job — no corporate jargon required.
Example:
“Thanks for reaching out! Our office will be closed for Christmas from Dec. 24–26. We’ll reply as soon as we’re back and caffeinated. If this is urgent, please call our Clearwater office at (727) XXX-XXXX. Have a great holiday!”
It’s short, polite, and human — just like your business.
- Skip The Oversharing
Your customers don’t need to know you’re going deep-sea fishing off Madeira Beach or that your project manager’s spending Christmas in Denver.
Beyond being too personal, that info can create security risks. You don’t want to advertise that the office or shop is empty.
Stick to dates, response times, and alternate contacts — and save the vacation stories for after New Year’s.
- Test Your Phones (Before They Test Your Patience)
Holiday callers are often in a rush. Double-check that your voicemail matches your actual schedule — and that it’s not still saying “Closed for Labor Day 2022.”
Call your own number to be sure. Seriously.
Example greeting:
“You’ve reached [Your Company Name]. We’re closed for the holidays and will return your call Monday morning. For urgent jobsite support, press 1 to reach our on-call tech. Have a safe and happy holiday!”
It’s amazing how much goodwill a simple, up-to-date voicemail can create.
- Set Realistic Deadlines For Deliveries, Jobs, and Quotes
In construction and manufacturing, timing is everything — especially around the holidays when suppliers and shipping companies are slammed.
If you know certain orders or parts won’t arrive until January, say so early and clearly. Post “last order” dates online and send reminders to your regular clients.
People can handle delays — they just don’t like surprises.
The Bottom Line: Good Tech Habits Keep Customers Happy
Holiday tech etiquette isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being thoughtful.
A few minutes updating your hours, phone message, and e-mail settings can prevent frustration and protect your hard-earned reputation.
And when your communication runs smoothly, clients notice.
It’s one of those small things that separates a reliable, professional Tampa Bay business from “just another contractor.”
Want A Quick Tech Check-Up Before The Holidays?
Before you sign off for the year, we can help make sure your phone systems, cloud tools, and customer communication tech are working the way they should — so you can actually enjoy your time off without worrying about a missed message or failed auto-reply.
Schedule a 15-minute Holiday Tech Check-Up with our Clearwater IT team — we’ll help you keep your business running smoothly while you take a well-deserved break.
Because peace of mind is the best gift you can give yourself (and your clients) this season.
