What to Work on When Things Get Slow

I enjoy keeping busy most of the time, and starting a business requires tending to a long list of details! From the vantage point of starting up, I can see that there are several steps that any business might want to revisit or consider when the work isn't streaming in.

Here are a few things to work on during slow seasons:

1. Examine your business from the outside in. Listen to your outgoing voicemail message – is it friendly and clear? Look at your email signature – is your phone number or logo included? When was the last time you read your website homepage? Or subscribed to your own newsletter to see what happens?

2. Check out your LinkedIn profile. Make sure your profile picture is a professional head shot and that it’s up to date. Ask for those recommendations you’ve been thinking about.

3. Post past content. If you’ve got past newsletters that are not yet up on your website as well, take steps to add them.

4. Clean up “tolerations.” You know, those annoying little things that you just put up with. Are you always struggling to find client phone numbers? Do you keep needed supplies in the basement instead of near your desk? Is there a pile of papers in the corner that you’ve ignored for months (or years!)? Take the time now to handle these little annoyances.

5. Organize your desk. Take everything off (yes, everything) clean it thoroughly, and only add back what you need.

6. Review your finances. Why wait until tax time to organize your expenses? Bring them up to date now.

7. Plan your next big project. What are you waiting for? Jump in!

For people who are used to being at capacity, a little down time can be disorienting. So yes, make sure you relax. But when you’re ready to jump back in, take advantage of the opportunity to take your business to the next level.