Christmas is a time for fun and frivolity but that doesn't mean good business practice should be put on hold during the festivities.

Many local businesses have been planning for the season all year long to ensure Christmas 2003 passes without a hitch. Reporter KEVIN SHOESMITH spoke to some of them about their planning

CHRISTMAS may come but once a year, but it can still be enough to throw a year's hard work down the drain.

Businesses which fail to adequately prepare for the Christmas rush risk lost sales, dissatisfied customers and over-stretched resources.

Catherine Neeves, a human resources adviser for Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire, says the festive season still comes as a shock to many bosses.

She said: "Adequate planning is vital to make the most of the time available.

"You need to ensure that you make the most effective use of your resources in order to maintain productivity and, more importantly, customer satisfaction.

"During this festive time, balancing the demands of the business with the personal needs of staff through flexibility and simple gestures of goodwill can also pay dividends, resulting in increased motivation and morale."

Southwest finance group, Bibby Factors, says that by looking at previous year's trading, trends can be established for a less stressful start to the New Year.

Sales manager Robin Goddard explained: "Although Christmas can be a real challenge for small businesses, there is every reason to make it a success with the help of a little preparation in advance.

"It's never too early to start planning a strategy for the festive season to take advantage of all the opportunities this unique time of year brings."

One Swindon firm to acknowledge this is Triumph International a leading lingerie manufacturer based in Arkwright Road.

Spokeswoman Sue Loder said the Christmas period was traditionally the busiest time of the year, as men rush to the stores to buy sexy underwear for their partners.

In Triumph's case, many of the larger retailers including House of Fraser and Debenhams were aware of this Christmas's range this time last year.

"It's always busy at Christmas, but we have prepared ourselves for the inevitable rush," she said.

"We began the advertising campaign in September, which included women's glossy magazines and bill boards."

The firm has secured the services of English Rugby World Cup stars Ben Cohen and Dan Luger, who are endorsing the new Sloggi menswear range.

Although many firms will be enjoying profits, Stephen Lewis, a member of the nationwide Better Payment Practice Group, a partnership between the public and private sectors, says bosses should always keep a close eye on their books.

He said: "It is easy for businesses to let their usual credit management practices slip as Christmas gets under way, so it's import that they take action now to prevent being the victims of late payment.

"A little forward planning by businesses can go a long way to ensure that they start the New Year on the right foot."

Bosses are also reminded to review their security procedures.

With many firms closing for Christmas, thieves could be presented with an ideal target.

Zurich one of Swindon's biggest employers has confirmed only a handful of staff will be in offices, but stressed security is still a top priority.

A spokesperson said: "The majority of our people based in Swindon will finish at lunchtime on Christmas Eve and will return on December 29. Security, however, will remain a 24-hour operation."

Sarah King, spokeswoman for Nationwide's UK headquarters in Pipers Way, said the Swindon workforce would be treated to a Christmas lunch at the beginning of next month. She added that the firm is also keen to bring Christmas cheer to others.

"We have designed our own corporate cards and each department will buy a batch to send out to their clients," she said.

"That money will go then go to the Macmillan charity."

The firm is also asking staff not to throw their cards in the bin at the end of festivities.

"We hope to send them off to be recycled and then use the money to plant trees, completing the cycle," she said.