The ‘summer slump’ has officially set in and your inbox is probably already full of ‘out of office’ emails and nobody returns your calls. Fear not! A quiet summer can actually benefit you and your business. All businesses have busy and quiet periods which tend to reoccur each year depending on the industry you’re in but these quiet times can be a great opportunity for you to take a step back and plan ahead while you are still managing the day to day running of your business, so you’re ready to hit the ground running when everyone has returned to their routine.
So what are you supposed to do to stay motivated and make the most of your time while everyone is away?
Enjoy the free time!
This might sound counterproductive but if you are running your own business then it’s crucial to take a break in order to rest and relax before the busy season. Our franchisees are able organise their workload around their personal life throughout the year, however as clients are often away in August and September it’s a great time to spend more time with friends and family. If you became your own boss to achieve a better work/life balance allow yourself to have a proper break.
Check up on your business goals
What were your plans for 2015? Use the free time to reflect on your business plan and to find out if you achieved what you wanted this year and what can you do to meet your target before the end of the year. Break down the steps you need to take to achieve your goals in monthly actions and create a plan which will help you stay on track.
Get organised
An organised business is a productive business. Doing admin work and streamlining processes may sound laborious but it’s essential if you want to run a successful business. Luckily our franchisees already benefit from our Cloud-based system, GENESYS™, which operates as a personal assistant organising the administration and finance for the business, however a lot of them use this quiet time to organise their day-to-day operations. It’s not just your inbox and computer desktop that fall prey to clutter, your social media, voicemail inbox and personal email accounts can get clogged. Take a look at your social media presence and find out what’s working and what isn’t.
Expand your network
Networking is something that many business owners neglect, however in order to meet the clients and contacts necessary to grow your business it is essential. Take this time to think about where can you find people who might need your services? Consider which networking groups might be best for you and make an effort to get out there and spread the word about your business. Listen to what people have to say and think about the ways you can help them.
Spring-clean your workplace
I bet you saw this one coming from us! Even if you think a bit of mess in a workspace is unavoidable, physical clutter can cause stress in the long run. A lot of people hold on to a lot of stuff because they feel they need it, however keeping only what is essential for the day-to-day running of your business will ensure you enjoy spending time at your desk. Recycle broken electronics you have stashed in cupboards and donate everything you no longer need or you have multiples of. Sort your loose papers and get rid of anything unnecessary. And if you have been thinking about rearranging or decorating your office, now is a great time to do it!
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