When you run your own small business, getting back to into the working spirit after the summer holidays can be tough, whether you have been off with the family or continuing to work. Some how the long, lazy, warm summer evenings seem to absorb all of our energies. Without a manager setting you targets and telling you what to do on a day-to-day basis, how can you get motivated to make the most of the remainder of the year? My latest blog covers lots of business tips to get you started.
First of all…. take a break!
If you’re thinking about skipping your summer holiday – think again. The expert opinion is that small business owners can benefit hugely from taking a break. “It really is a big problem, and the smaller the business, the more likely it is. Ultimately, not taking enough time off can prove extremely harmful to the owner, their family and their business,” declares Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology and health at Lancaster University Management School.*
Getting Staff Motivated
Upon your return to the office how do you get staff (or yourself) motivated to make the most of Q4 of 2016? Some small businesses depending upon your sector are already talking about Christmas – eek!
Perhaps you employ a group of people, and maybe they’ve been on holiday too. While everyone should be feeling nice and refreshed, you may all be suffering from the post-holiday blues. In this instance, you should lead by example. If you’re having negative feelings about getting back to work (let’s face it, who doesn’t?) try to put a positive spin on things when communicating with employees. Some kind of team bonding activity that makes the most of the good weather can also work miracles when it comes to keeping your team in high spirits.
Now is also a great time to review your Marketing Strategy and agree within the team what you are going to focus on and how you are going drive the business forward, or if you are a sole trader take the time to review your way forward. Drafting a ‘to do list’ or having a brainstorm session of new ideas can be very therapeutic.
Once you know what you want to achieve, start to schedule some of your marketing activity e.g.: newsletters and social media to get you back focused and thinking about your business. Getting out and about and visiting some great local network events or workshops can also really help get your energy back, it has certainly worked for me. Get out there and start to talk about your business again.
And of course if you do find yourself just sitting staring at a screen then take yourself off for a coffee, walk or do something that you energises you, after all that is why in many cases we work for ourselves to have the flexibility to choose our hours.
If you would like some help in drafting your Marketing Strategy to help you to get back on track with your business, or indeed just a coffee to re-energise please email me at: sophie@rimumarketing.co.uk.
Wishing you a productive September.
Sources:
http://blogs.constantcontact.com/summer-tips-small-business/
http://www.inc.com/rohit-arora/four-small-business-marketing-management-tips-for-summer-2016.html
