Time is moving fast and it is already summer. Hopefully you’ve already done your spring cleaning and ready to change focus. We are just past the midpoint for the year and want to draw attention to a few areas you may be distracted from as you enjoy the weather.
Let’s look at the business, professional networking, and personal down time:
1) Mid-year health check – With the first 6 months already gone, now is a good time to check your plans. These include sales, cash flow, hiring, inventory, and marketing. Are you on track? Did you even create any plans or goals? If not, no time like the present. Keep things simple and one-page plans are a great way to put into writing what you want to achieve and how you will measure the results. Do you have cash reserve for potential unexpected needs – if not – what is your plan to make that happen in the next 90 days? What fine tuning or adjustments do you need to make to get things back on track? If you are on track, are you celebrating the wins?
2) Networking – It is very easy in the summer to forget about networking. Are you going out and keeping your business relationships fresh? Are there any industry events you need to plan on participating in? When was the last time you broke out of your day to day to expand your network? If you sincerely enjoy learning from and sharing information with others, there is no better way to keep the “saw” sharp. Remember – networking does not equal selling!
3) Personal time – Plan to take down time. As a small business owner, everyone puts themselves last and even if not a good time to take time now, get it scheduled and on the calendar. Always have something to look forward to! Don’t make an excuse that you are too busy. Everyone is too busy! Get is scheduled for the slow time in your business.
Think through
Leverage summer as your mid-year health check. Are your business priorities on track, are your personal relationships healthy, and what is your plan to refresh yourself. Challenge yourself and if you have a team to get back to basics to ensure you are on track with your goals. Don’t want to be a downer but before you know it, year-end business taxes will be due and don’t get caught off guard. Simplify and relax!
Mark your calendar at the start of next summer to “rinse and repeat”!
Feel free to post comments or email them to me. Small Business, Big Lessons ® – What is your Spring Summer plan?
Small Business
About the Author:
Gregory Woloszczuk is an entrepreneur and experienced tech executive that helps small business owners grow their top and bottom line. Gregory believes in straight talk and helping others see things they need to see but may not want to with a focus on taking responsibly for one’s own business. He and his wife, Maureen, started GMW Carolina in 2006.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
