Summer can be a slow time for many businesses. Employees and customers frequently go on vacations, a laid-back breezy atmosphere permeates the office air and it’s a tempting time for business owners and CEOs to take things easy, catch a few extra rounds of golf , or slow down operations.
So, you’ve worked hard this year and it’s a good time for you to slow down too, right? Not exactly. A keen business owner realizes that the summer is a great time to both get ahead of the competition by maintaining business as usual and to catch up on much needed business maintenance tasks, they may have ignored during the busy season. Here are some ideas to keep your business productive this summer and stay ahead of the competition:
1. Hold some team development exercises. The relaxed summer atmosphere makes it a great time to team-build and work on ideas and strategies for the rest of the year in a more laid back environment. Listen to the team’s challenges and accomplishments and share your visions and strategies for the rest of the year.
2. Develop a summer plan and help your employees stick to it. Having a solid plan for the season and checking off tasks as they are completed will help your staff remain focused during the hot summer, when people might me more prone to daydreaming about visits to the nearby lake, or their upcoming camping trips.
3. The summer can be a wonderful time for generating fresh ideas. Hold a company-wide contest, and ask everyone to propose a fresh idea and a plan for implementing it. Award the winner a prize, like dinner for two, an extra day off work, or tickets to the local zoo.
4. Have your sales people reach out and connect with prospects. Prospects, that have been difficult to reach all year, may be more receptive during the slower days of summer. It’s a great time to catch up with them over a short phone call or brief lunch meeting.
5. Don’t let your employees “stretch” their summer vacations. Employees who slow down their productivity prior to a pending vacation or stay on a mental hiatus after their return can really affect the success of your business. Meet with your employees prior to their vacations and go over the deadlines, and deliverables that need to be completed before they leave. Also, remind them while they’re gone to try not to think about work. When they return refreshed, get them started on an important project right away that fits their skills.
6. Review your business achievements for the year-to-date. Assess how you’ve met your financial, staffing, personal development and marketing goals and any others important to the success of your business. Once you’ve reviewed, create a set of tasks and actions for implementing strategies to achieve these goals for the next six months.
The good news is after you can still maintain business productivity in the summer, while rewarding yourself with some much needed rest and relaxation. Many business owners and C-level executives have difficulty delegating the many operations they are responsible for and feel pressure to wear all of these hats to perfection. This can lead to quick burnout and lower productivity. Don’t be afraid to delegate your responsibilities to someone for at least a week or two. Then, take some relaxing time off for yourself in the summer. Use your PDA device only in emergencies and resist the urge to use your computer for work activities. Don't call in, or write in, or check your e-mail. Remind your employees to contact you only in the case of an emergency.
Enjoy your vacation! You’ve earned it.