Late summer is usually the off-season for business. People are gearing up for a return to school and taking advantage of the last chance of summer.
Since things are more laid-back, why not plan some quiet time for your business ahead of the busy holiday season?
Here are five strategies to consider:
1. Evaluate sales models
Review the past 12 months to assess sales patterns. Did sales increase after certain marketing campaigns? Do sales drop when you skip sales calls or stop posting on your Instagram account?
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What we measure, we can improve. With retrospectives, you can connect your results to what you did or didn’t do. Use this data to tune your sales and marketing campaigns so you can move the pointer up and to the right.
2. Review team member performance
See how you and your team members perform in different roles. Does your assistant manage your calendar efficiently? Is your project manager keeping you and everyone else on track? How is your ad manager doing?
Everyone plays a key role in the success of your business. Evaluate their performance against their tasks and responsibilities, and plan to meet with them next month to provide feedback.
Don’t forget to review your performance as objectively as possible.
3. Nurture customer relationships
Reach your biggest and most loyal customers with words of gratitude, inspiration, and encouragement. Send a card or a motivational book to let them know how much you appreciate them.
Personal touch goes a long way in strengthening the relationships that form the basis of repeat business.
4. plan your 4th quarter
Evaluate your key performance indicators. This should include sales targets, product launches, promotions, etc. The goal is to end the year on a high note.
Planning important milestones ahead of time helps clarify your goals so you can focus on the most important ones. This also helps eliminate low-value activities.
5. take your time
The days are getting shorter. Take some time to rest and rejuvenate. As an entrepreneur, you absolutely need it.
Set your emails to auto-reply or delegate someone to monitor your inbox. Turn off all but the most urgent calls.
Incorporate regular vacation time into your life and business cycle. It’s a gift to yourself, and your business might get better too.
Let’s talk about it!
Sometimes we are so busy in the day-to-day work of leading a business that we lose sight of the forest for the trees. While these tasks can be performed in any month, late summer is perfect for its slower, easier pace.
What do you think of my suggestion? Am I missing something? How can you use the slower months to prepare your business for the upcoming season and beyond?
Send questions and comments to donnamaria@qcitymetro.com. I love hearing from you!