Summer may officially begin this year on June 20th, but if you’re a New Englander, we start celebrating on that first day in March when the temperatures finally climb into the balmy 50s. It’s all a matter of perspective.
But, while we may embrace the sun and lazy days at the beach, the summer months are often not seen as a great time for businesses (unless you run an ice cream stand). After all, it’s generally acknowledged that your customers (and you) will be taking some extra time off. We tell ourselves that fall will be here soon enough, and with it, a return to business as usual.
We urge you to think again. The summer presents some rare opportunities the rest of the busy year can’t touch. You may find taking some time out of your more relaxed schedule to ensure your business continues to grow and thrive pays big dividends when cooler months come. Here are a few suggestions:
Review your strategic plan. How are you doing on your growth goals and activities? Having some time to creatively think and reflect on where you are and where you want to go will help you better focus on what’s important and what adjustments you may want to make.
Catch up with old and prospective clients. We all have a list of people we’ve had every good intention to reach out to. If it’s been a while since you’ve talked with valued customers or followed up with prospects, the summer can be a great and relaxed time to meet for an actual or virtual cup of coffee and build those relationships.
Check out summer networking events. Whether it’s your local chamber of commerce or a sponsored networking event, these gatherings can be a great way to build your referral network.
Play hard and work hard. One of the most difficult things for us to do is to be present and focus. That could mean we’re thinking about business when we’re on vacation or distracted by thoughts of sunshine when we’re at work. When you take time off, unplug and unwind. Unless it’s a verified emergency, business can wait. Conversely, when you get back in the office, concentrate on those activities that will best benefit your business and commit your time and energy accordingly.
Plan for continuity. It should be no surprise that summer brings more vacations and employee absences. Create a vacation schedule and evaluate what gaps you may want to fill/address to prevent stressful work backlogs that could impact your business. In fact we have an entire blog devoted to business continuity.
With just a little attention and strategic effort, you can enjoy the summer while smartly growing your business!