Abandoned steam engine in France @2011 Success Network
On a forum recently a new start up business owner posted if others also notice a reduction in orders/enquiries when most people are on holiday, either during the summer, or the quiet Christmas season.
Whether or not your business goes quiet will largely depend on your industry and your clients. Some people can be really busy as others experience a very noticeable slowdown. In some industries, trying to generate business during a ‘summer lull’ can be a fruitless exercise -especially when decision makers are on holiday.
Having been in business for many years, I now welcome quiet times as they can be such a great opportunity to sit back and think about the business, get on with jobs you have little time for the rest of the year, as well as take time out to be with family and friends.
To help you manage quiet periods here are some of my own tips, as well as a few tips kindly provided by some LinkedIn and Facebook friends!
Factor in down time
“It is ‘essential’ to have some down time – particularly if you have children! We are not machines, we are human and we need to rest from time to time and enjoy our families, as they grow up too quickly! If your business does not allow you a holiday, then your business plan and strategy is wrong. Factor it in – it is important! For me, I have learnt to always factor this time, particularly during the summer and Christmas periods.” Nicky Guy at Guy Marketing
Understand your ‘business rhythm’
“It’s a very real issue for most businesses. My tip would be ‘go with the flow’. Once you’ve been in a business a year, your pattern is easier to see and therefore easier to plan around. Those of us with children, also have to manage over 6 weeks of entertaining them too! I feel much better about spending more time with my family now I understand the rhythm of my work.” ‘Networking Women’ on Facebook
Work ‘on’ your business
Start by revisiting your business plan. As this is your road map, it’s always worthwhile focussing on your goals and your vision on a regular basis, as unexpected things can happen and plans may need to be updated due to new developments. This may also be a good opportunity to redefine your niche and your marketing strategy, catch up on things like updating your website or creating new marketing material.
Nicky Guy always ensures that she is “absolutely set for September (and sometimes October) by the end of July and before I take holiday. It’s quite fulfilling to know that, where possible, you have the plan in place as we head into autumn.”
Why not reserve one day a week from now on to work on your business?
Boost your knowledge
“The ‘lull’ is a great time to catch up on all that information you should have been following throughout the year, but have been too busy to do so. Use all the search materials available on the internet and start reading and learning (and joining if applicable) from blogs, articles, websites, e-books, e-courses or wherever you get your information from. A great opportunity to boost your knowledge and increase your expertise status!” Alice Elliott the ‘Fairy Blog Mother’
Research and develop new ideas
“I find this a great time to look through my ‘Ideas Book’. This is a notebook I write in, all through the year – it is full of ideas/thoughts I have had or web addresses to research, notes about information I have come across, but haven’t had the time to investigate in any depth. A ‘lull’ is a great time to develop some of these ideas when I have more time to think.” Sarah Houldcroft, VA at ‘Dolphins Don’t Sink’
Create new content
You could take some ideas a step further and write some articles or an ebook. Start a blog or become a guest writer on other blogs such as our Success Recipe blog. It’s amazing how much you can write when you don’t have many meetings, distractions or fixed deadlines to keep you busy. The products you create for your business can be given away as incentives or sold throughout the year to generate some revenue.
Plan to become more visible
Could this be the time to become more visible via social media, getting more known through sharing your expertise? This may mean signing up to social media websites, identifying some different networking opportunities, or looking for speaking opportunities where you can meet your target market.
Reconnect with contacts and clients
If you are not always regularly in touch with your network, this is a good time to reconnect. Drop people a line or call them to find out how they are. Understanding their current challenges will help you to work out how you can help them.
Sort out your online and offline filing and admin tasks
Delete old emails and online documents you don’t need any more. Sort your loose papers, and get rid of anything unnecessary. These tasks can be very cathartic, as is tidying, rearranging or decorating your office!
So, to sum up, quiet times can also be hugely productive times! Why not block out some time in your diary now, and select some of the tasks that will not only help you to develop your business but will ensure you can hit the ground running once your quiet period is over?
Ute 
Wieczorek-King is an experienced business trainer, mentor and coach who has been a successful business owner herself for over 20 years. She has helped many busy fempreneurs to get more from their business… more focus, more time, more clients and more money.
Get Ute’s free ebook to help you turn your passion into profit, from the Success Network website.
Copyright 2011-2013, Ute Wieczorek-King
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