Oh, the hazy-lazy days of summer – and you’re still trying to get organized! It can be a challenge for entrepreneurs to run their business and balance their family lives during the summer months.
In my coaching calls with clients lately, this has been a regular topic of conversation. It’s critical to keep the business running during the summer months or you are going to look up when September arrives, and realize you have nothing in the funnel – which then means you have a cash flow crisis.
So, just how do you keep it altogether? How can one be expected to ‘do it all’ and stay sane? What can be done to stay on top of the marketing, attract ideal clients, make money – and have a life?
LET ME GIVE YOU A FEW EASY STEPS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
- PULL OUT YOUR CALENDAR.
I talk about this all the time with my clients. At the beginning of each year, I recommend they all buy a big wall calendar for their office – it makes life so much easier when you have your ‘life at a glance’. When you are sitting at your desk and you can see the big picture staring you in the face, it’s easy to get a grip on current reality. So, pull out the calendar and get very strategic about what you want the 10-12 weeks of summer to be like for you in your business.
- MAKE A PLAN.
Take a real good look at each of the weeks. What specifically will you/can you do to keep the business moving forward? Keep it simple. On Mondays, I focus on my writing (my weekly ezine, scripts for videos, content for sales pages, questions for interviews I am participating in, etc.) – and in the afternoon, that time is held open on my calendar for phone calls with prospects – people who want more information about working with me. Tuesdays to Thursdays are scheduled coaching calls with clients. Fridays are the days I take off during the summer months – and/or I include some casual networking breakfasts and lunches. I always start my days with an hour of revenue-generating activities – that’s exactly how I doubled my revenues each month and each year. Get into that habit and watch the difference it makes in your business.
- COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR TEAM AND WITH YOUR FAMILY.
It’s critical to coordinate with your team – find out when each person is going to be away for vacation and plan accordingly. This is not a time for surprises or gaps in your work processes. It’s also a time when you can take that wall calendar and meet with your family – first, as a whole. Second, meet with each one individually – especially if you are a woman entrepreneur with young children at home for the summer. Plan 1-1 ‘special dates’ with each child. Help them to understand what hours you need to be in your office and ‘at work’ – and also help them to understand that there will also be scheduled time with them. Information is power. They will appreciate it. YOU will be able to focus and get some work done then.
- HAVE A PRODUCT SALE.
Summer is a great time to review your product inventory – update some things – clear out other things. Have a Summer sale – it’s a perfect time for others to schedule their professional development – sell books, audios, podcasts, etc. and make your information available to them when it is highly likely to be used and consumed.
THE LESSONS IN ALL OF THIS:
1) When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
2) Information is power. Communication is key with family and team members.
3) Knowing your plan ‘at a glance’ gives you a sense of control.
4) Make time for you, too, in all of this.
5) Keep the business going – so you can keep the cash flowing!
WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS THIS SUMMER?
Please share your thoughts!
