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Summer is in full swing, and for many business-to-business (B2B) companies, this means a slowdown in demand. Business owners are travelling, referral levels have decreased, and leads are getting cold. While it may seem like a challenging time for small businesses to thrive, the summer season actually presents a great opportunity to improve productivity and gain a competitive edge in the long run. We have five actionable strategies that you can focus on this summer to boost your business productivity.
Conduct a mid-year review
Summer is the perfect time to take a step back and evaluate your progress so far. Conduct a comprehensive mid-year review to assess your business performance against the goals you set at the beginning of the year. Analyze key financial metrics, identify areas of strength and areas needing improvement, and adjust your strategies accordingly.
Action steps
- Gather data on sales, customer feedback, and employee performance.
- Hold team meetings to discuss progress and gather input.
- Update your business plan and set new goals for the second half of the year.
Optimize your marketing strategies
Summer is a great time to get creative with your marketing efforts. With many people spending more time online and outdoors, consider launching seasonal marketing campaigns that capture the essence of summer. This could include social media contests, email marketing campaigns, and special promotions.
Action steps
- Create summer-themed content for your blog and social media channels.
- Run special promotions or discounts that align with summer activities.
- Attend or sponsor local events and festivals to increase brand visibility.
Streamline financial operations and processes
One aspect that businesses can focus on during the off-season is their virtual infrastructure. A key component that can make a significant difference is using online accounting software, and optimizing your billing and invoicing processes. Partnering with modern payment solutions like Forwardly can revolutionize how you manage your finances. Forwardly offers a free-of-cost solution with no monthly subscription fees, making it an attractive option for small businesses and B2B companies. You can accept payments online and send bill payments in just 60 seconds, anytime, anywhere. This feature significantly reduces the waiting time for overdue payments, helping you reclaim your time and peace of mind.
Action steps
- Analyze to identify cash flow and workflow bottlenecks.
- Shift to online accounting software like QuickBooks Online or FreshBooks.
- Simplify your financial operations with Forwardly.
Strengthen client relationships
Summer offers a perfect chance to really strengthen your relationships with your valued clients. It’s a time when you can focus even more on delivering exceptional customer service and finding new ways to make sure your clients feel truly satisfied. We believe that taking the time for personalized communication—like sending individual emails or making personal phone calls—shows how much you care about their needs and how important they are to you.
Action steps
- Schedule regular check-ins with key clients to discuss their needs and gather feedback.
- Send personalized thank-you notes or summer-themed gifts to show appreciation.
- Organize client appreciation events or virtual meetups to build stronger connections.
Plan for the busy season ahead
Use the summer months to prepare for the busy season that typically comes in the fall and winter. This could involve ramping up production, stocking up on inventory, or planning major marketing campaigns. By getting ahead of the curve, you can ensure a smooth transition when business picks up again.
Action steps
- Forecast demand for the upcoming busy season and adjust your inventory levels accordingly.
- Develop a detailed marketing plan for the next few months.
- Hire temporary staff if needed to manage increased workloads.
While summer is often associated with relaxation and downtime, it can also be a season of productivity and growth for small businesses. By following our recommendations, you can take full advantage of the summer months to boost your business productivity. Use this time to build strategic partnerships or attend industry events that can expand your network and open new doors for collaboration. Say yes to the season’s unique opportunities and set the stage for a successful year ahead. If you are ready to get started with Forwardly, simply click here to begin!
