It is that time of year when many businesses tend to slowdown due to the holiday season. If you find you and your team with some spare capacity, now is the time to get ahead of your competitors and be prepared for when others return form their holidays
Here are a few ideas on areas to focus on:
Organisation.
When business is slower than usual, this is the perfect time to get organised. To operate more efficiently and effectively, organisation in the workplace and in your personal space is key. Cleaning up your computer files, organising projects and emails and re-configuring your computer desktop can really make life easier when business picks up again. In addition to your personal space, organisation of the office and making sure there is plenty of office supplies in stock can make the stressful times easier to endure.
Follow up with clients.
Following up with clients and pending/potential projects is the perfect thing to do when you have free time at work. Reaching out to your clients about proposals you had discussed previously, or getting in touch with your top clients not only makes them feel like they are a priority, but it can also create some new business as well.
Look at your marketing strategy.
Even though marketing should be a priority all year round, sometimes the planning and implementation gets put on the back burner during busy times. So, during slow periods is the perfect time to fit your companies marketing strategies in. Creating brochures, campaigns, email blasts, updating social media, the website and planning for the next year are all good things to do while it is slow.
Service is superior to selling and needs to be top of mind.
Service should be a year-around commitment, of course, but it is even more important during a summer slowdown when your competitors take their eye off the ball. Show that you are motivated to make things happen quickly and empower employees to accommodate special requests, even if it means opening your business early. This is your chance to shine and make a lasting impression. After all, your goal is to make sure your new business keeps coming back to you long after summer is over.
Make a firm decision not to participate in a slowdown.
Don’t allow your employees to buy into the ‘holiday season’ thinking because I assure you that they will make a summer slowdown one of the first excuses if there are any issues with their job performance. Hold a daily meeting to discuss what you are going to do to move forward this summer. Set clearly defined goals and list the activities that need to be undertaken to achieve them. Give yourself deadlines for your goals and create a no excuses, no negativity environment.
