Under starters order and we’re off! But how long before we take our foot off the pedal? In the working week, how many weeks are genuinely productive?
Marketing Stockport’s Richard Higginson shares his own views:
Oh noooo! I’ve seen my first ‘Book Now for Christmas’ sign and yet the summer holidays are still in full swing with many businesses taking the opportunity to recharge, focus and get ready for the final quarter of the year.
But, as with Christmas, the summer holidays can slow up business too and it’s important to be in the blocks ready to go at the start of September.
More people are taking Friday off and working more flexible and shorter weeks. Many of us are taking extended holidays and working remotely but how do you get your team motivated when everyone is back at their desks dreaming of what has just been?
If you run a business or a department, draft out key holiday times throughout the year and when the natural slowdown occurs. In past posts, I have likened it to a F1 race track with long straights, bends and curves that emulate holidays, bank holidays and holiday entitlements.
One thing is for sure – there aren’t many straights to get through the gears so being ready with a plan until the next break is paramount.
Keeping staff focussed, interested and motivated is key, maybe setting shorter term goals that fit in with the imminent holidays.
There are some easy measures you can take to ensure that while business may be slow, you make the most of your ‘free’ time.
- Maybe try something different during this period at work – unsubscribe to junk email, re think your meeting schedule – does it have a purpose and do you have a clear vision of what you want from the meeting? If not, cancel it.
- Free up time to be creative, think about fresh challenges and give yourself something to focus on.
- Engage with team and staff members, seek ideas that keep people motivated and removes ground hog day.
- Read a book relevant to your business and inspire your subordinates.
- Mentor someone or refresh your networking group.
And remember, your clients are experiencing the same challenges.