5 Holiday Hurdles Filipino SMEs Can Avoid by Preparing, Not Just Planning 

In the Philippines, the Ber months signal the start of the holiday season—an ideal moment for SMEs to get ahead and prepare for Christmas sales success.

It’s one thing to plan. It’s another to prepare.

Planning is about creating a roadmap. It assumes control and predictability, and answers the question: “What should we do right?”

Preparation, on the other hand, is about building capacity to execute when the unexpected happens. It asks: “What if things go wrong?”

And during the holiday season—when demand surges, costs rise, and operations stretch thin—the difference between planning and preparing can make or break your business.

Here are five of the most common holiday hurdles Filipino SMEs face—and how early, practical preparation, supported by BPI Ka-Negosyo, can help you turn the season’s chaos into growth.

Planning is knowing what to order. Preparation is securing it before everyone else does.

Prepare by:

• Forecasting demand based on last year’s sales.
• Securing early bird contracts for bulk orders, especially for bestsellers and packaging.
• Working with multiple suppliers to spread your risk.
• Splitting shipments between sea and air to manage delays.

Use the BPI Ka-Negosyo Ready Loan to fund inventory early—so you’re ready when demand hits and stock elsewhere runs out.

Planning is projecting profits. Preparation is making sure you have cash when expenses arrive first.

The holiday rush increases revenue—but also expenses: inventory, manpower, marketing. And if you're dealing with B2B clients, you may not get paid until months later.

Prepare by:

• Offering early payment discounts to accelerate receivables.
• Using invoice financing to unlock cash tied to unpaid invoices.
• Setting firm credit terms for institutional buyers.

The BPI Ka-Negosyo Credit Line gives you flexible access to funds for recurring needs like payroll, restocking, and supplier payments—especially when collections are delayed.

Planning is having a campaign idea. Preparation is launching it before everyone else floods the market.

Towards the end of year, ad platforms are saturated. Costs climb, competition intensifies, and visibility shrinks. Even the most well-thought-out campaign will struggle if it’s launched too late.

Prepare by:

• Launching teaser campaigns or early bird promos.
• Offering giftable bundles like “Holiday Sets Under ₱500.”
• Using cost-effective platforms like TikTok Live and Facebook Marketplace.
• Targeting niche audiences (local, sustainable, personalized, etc.).

Fund your early campaigns with the BPI Ka-Negosyo SME Loan—designed for longer-term needs like marketing scale-ups, new product lines, or expanded outreach.

Planning is promising fast shipping. Preparation is making sure your system can deliver it—literally.

From late October onward, couriers are at capacity. Delays become the norm. One missed delivery can lead to negative reviews or refunds.

Prepare by:

• Engaging multiple logistics suppliers and dividing shipments accordingly to reduce risk of delays.
• Locking in courier contracts and fulfillment partners.
• Communicating shipping cutoffs clearly (e.g., “Order by Dec 10 for Christmas delivery”).
• Building contingency plans for rush orders.
• Streamlining your packing and fulfillment processes.

The BPI Ka-Negosyo Credit Line can support last-mile logistics, warehousing needs, or hiring temporary staff for smoother holiday operations.

Planning is knowing you’ll need more help. Preparation is hiring, training, and incentivizing them early.

Holiday leaves and sudden demand spikes can quickly overwhelm a small team. Waiting until December to hire is often too late.

Prepare by:

• Cross-training current employees for flexible roles.
• Onboarding freelancers or part-timers ahead of the rush.
• Offering holiday incentives to retain core staff.
• Automating repetitive tasks to free up manpower.

The BPI Ka-Negosyo SME Loan can fund your seasonal staffing plan, training costs, or tools to boost team efficiency during the peak months.

✅ Save yourself from these hurdles

During the holidays, when unpredictability is the norm, it's not enough to know what you want to do—you have to ensure you're equipped to do it.

With BPI Ka-Negosyo, you get fast, flexible financing options tailored to your seasonal needs—from working capital and inventory funding to marketing and staffing support.

Ready to prepare for your most profitable quarter yet? Explore how BPI can support your growth this holiday season.