We may as well face it. Afternoons (especially Fridays) in August can get downright brutal if you are stuck in the office. It seems like all key employees, clients and prospects are out on vacation. Scheduling meetings or making progress on projects is next to impossible.
Why fight it? If you are not in a position to join the “out of the office until…” crowd, make productive use of the slow down. Here are some suggestions:
Attend a seminar or networking event
Get away from the office slowdown. Sign up for an offsite seminar or networking event. Treat it as an opportunity to learn and network with like-minded professionals. Chances are very good those attending the seminar or networking event are doing so for the very same reason you are. They will be even more engaging because they do not feel pressed to rush back to the office.
Upgrade marketing materials
How old is that flyer or brochure you are sending out? Your business card still has your old title. Your email messaging is tired. Use this opportunity to bring your marketing up-to-date. Create new flyers with more recent testimonials and accomplishments. What have you learned about approaching your best prospects and where has your company focus changed. Make sure your new email messaging reflect both. For goodness sake, get new business cards!
Reconnect with colleagues and friends
Meet for coffee, lunch or after work for a cocktail. In all likelihood, they are just as restless and in a position to spend unhurried quality time. We sometimes take these key ties for granted. This is an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, career advice, prospecting tips or just do a little healthy venting.
Increase prospecting efforts
A little counterintuitive perhaps? Maybe, but if you can reach a prospect chances are they will have more time for you. They may be marking time with a depleted staff waiting for the post Labor Day crush to arrive. You stand a better chance of getting their attention when their boss and half of their staff is out on vacation. This may actually be your best chance to get their attention.
Give your website a facelift
If you are a small business owner, you know the importance of a strong, high functioning website. You also know how hard updates, enhancements and content are to maintain. Here is your chance. Move to a fancier new theme. Update the tired content. Add the latest testimonials, accomplishments and new service offerings.
Get active on LinkedIn
Update your profile. Post to your network and to groups. Make new connections. Like and share content. . Join new groups. Drop groups that are no longer (or never were) fits for what you are trying to do.
Why fight it? If you are not in a position to join the “out of the office until…” crowd, make productive use of the slow down. Here are some suggestions:
Attend a seminar or networking event
Get away from the office slowdown. Sign up for an offsite seminar or networking event. Treat it as an opportunity to learn and network with like-minded professionals. Chances are very good those attending the seminar or networking event are doing so for the very same reason you are. They will be even more engaging because they do not feel pressed to rush back to the office.
Upgrade marketing materials
How old is that flyer or brochure you are sending out? Your business card still has your old title. Your email messaging is tired. Use this opportunity to bring your marketing up-to-date. Create new flyers with more recent testimonials and accomplishments. What have you learned about approaching your best prospects and where has your company focus changed. Make sure your new email messaging reflect both. For goodness sake, get new business cards!
Reconnect with colleagues and friends
Meet for coffee, lunch or after work for a cocktail. In all likelihood, they are just as restless and in a position to spend unhurried quality time. We sometimes take these key ties for granted. This is an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas, career advice, prospecting tips or just do a little healthy venting.
Increase prospecting efforts
A little counterintuitive perhaps? Maybe, but if you can reach a prospect chances are they will have more time for you. They may be marking time with a depleted staff waiting for the post Labor Day crush to arrive. You stand a better chance of getting their attention when their boss and half of their staff is out on vacation. This may actually be your best chance to get their attention.
Give your website a facelift
If you are a small business owner, you know the importance of a strong, high functioning website. You also know how hard updates, enhancements and content are to maintain. Here is your chance. Move to a fancier new theme. Update the tired content. Add the latest testimonials, accomplishments and new service offerings.
Get active on LinkedIn
Update your profile. Post to your network and to groups. Make new connections. Like and share content. . Join new groups. Drop groups that are no longer (or never were) fits for what you are trying to do.
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