Take time to plan some strategies this summer
As the summer holidays are upon us everything seems to quieten down. People are concentrating on what they need to pack, ensuring tickets and passports are at hand and sorting out garden watering or pet care.
It’s not a natural time for thinking about building your business. But I want to share three strategies with you because January isn’t the only time we should be getting strategic!
1. Sit, reflect and plan strategies
However, summer is actually a rather useful time of year as it allows us to reflect on where we are as opposed to where we expected to be. Some time sitting and reflecting on what has worked well in the growth of our business is a great idea. Some weeks can spin around to the point that we don’t get a chance to really see what’s working and what isn’t. Even sitting in the garden with a cuppa and reflecting on the year so far is a very useful exercise because once we hit September, it’s all GO until Christmas! What can you do differently or better to grow your business?
Here’s some strategies:
- Start sending out regular e-newsletters
- Double the amount of your social media posts
- Identify local groups for networking or talks
- Begin a blog to help inform and educate and use it in your marketing
2. In which areas do you need further training?
This is a great time of year to plan out some further CPD training in any areas where you feel you could improve. Some book up a head pain course, some paediatrics and others a marketing course. But strengthening your skill set in every area of business is wise at a time when bookings can be quieter than usual.
Here’s some strategies:
- Search for some online training in your chosen field so that you can make good use of your time
- Book up some CPD which will benefit your patients and increase bookings
- Start a course to learn simple accounts, social media marketing or blogging
3. What can you delegate?
Running a small business requires you to wear many different hats, but not all of them are always suitable! In my own case, book-keeping is a bind and I’m rubbish at it! Having messed about with it and stressed about it, I decided to take action this year and delegate it to an experienced Virtual Book-keeper and Accountant. She loves sorting out my messy figures – and I love to pay her for taking it all off my desk! And these days ‘virtual assistance’ is fantastic as you only pay by the hour.
Here’s some strategies:
- Delegate and ramp up your social media marketing although be clear on your message!
- Hand over e-newsletters or blog writing
- Let a remote assistant answer your calls or add an online diary so that you don’t miss bookings
And if I can help you with anything, take a look here for ways I can grow your business.
