How to prepare your business for the holiday season

Don’t miss important mail – get a digital mailbox

By setting up a digital mailbox for your business, you get a secure and centralized place for your mail. If you run a sole proprietorship, you set up a digital mailbox as a private individual, where you will also receive your business mail.

With a digital mailbox, you receive messages related to your business quickly, no matter where you are during your time off. You gain better control over who has access to your company’s mail and reduce the risk of unauthorized access or physical mail going missing.

Get a digital mailbox

Appoint a representative securely

If something unexpected happens, it is good to have a representative who can step in for you. A representative can, for example, handle payments and matters with authorities, as well as represent the company in various situations that may arise. Remember never to grant more authority than necessary.

You can provide a written power of attorney or register a representative directly in certain services, for example with the Swedish Tax Agency.
It is important to:

• provide clear and limited powers of attorney
• document what the representative is allowed and not allowed to do
• clearly state the period during which the authorization applies

Representatives and authorizations (in Swedish)

Watch out for fraud

Holiday periods often mean an increased risk of fraud attempts. Criminals take advantage of business owners being less available and the slower pace of activity.

• Be alert to malware and data breaches, such as phishing and scam emails.
• Watch out for fake invoices and have clear routines for payments and invoicing.

Malware and data breaches
Fake invoices

Review access rights and passwords

A common security risk during holiday periods is that too many people have access to company systems—or that you do not have a clear overview of who has access.

• Review who has access to systems such as accounting tools, customer data, and digital services.
• Remove or pause unnecessary permissions.
• Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
• Ensure everyone uses strong passwords.

Protect your business information

Reduce the risk of business hijacking

Criminals hijack companies for illegal purposes, such as withdrawing money from the company or purchasing goods in its name. This can happen when they obtain the right to represent the company, for example by registering a new board member, authorized signatory, or representative.

The Swedish Companies Registration Office notifies you as soon as they receive a case regarding changes to your company’s details. With their app and a digital mailbox, you can quickly see notifications, detect potential takeover attempts early, and prevent incorrect information from being registered.

You can also activate a block with the Swedish Tax Agency to prevent unauthorized individuals from appointing a representative for you or your company. When the block is activated, only you can appoint a representative using e-identification via the Swedish Tax Agency’s e-services.

Protect your business against hijacking

Plan your finances

If you are away for a longer period, you need to review and plan your company’s finances. It is important to set up direct debit for invoices and schedule payments for VAT, taxes, and charges. Also, make sure there is enough money in your account.

Don’t forget to send invoices to your customers so that it doesn’t get overlooked during your time off.

The importance of recovery

For many business owners, it is difficult to fully disconnect from work. At the same time, recovery is crucial for well-being and for sustaining a business in the long term. Take advantage of the opportunity to rest if you can.

Time off can provide new perspectives on your business and reduce the risk of stress and burnout.
By preparing your business properly with clear routines, you create a sense of security that makes it easier to temporarily let go. Giving yourself time to rest creates better conditions for both you and your business to grow.