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copyright © 2004, by Karyn Greenstreet. All
rights reserved. I’m sure you’ve seen
it happen every year: your business slows down during predictable
times, like the summertime months or year-end. For
the self-employed who rely upon steady cash flow, this can be a
disconcerting time. Should you just take a time off until things
naturally pick up again? Or should you try to find the
needle-in-the-haystack business that might be out there during slow
times?
This year, vow to be
different! Instead of languishing in no-business-never-land, get
off your butt and do something to build the foundation of your
business so that natural business cycles don’t affect you too
deeply:
-
Clean your office. Go through all the piles of papers and
magazines that have been sitting around and get rid of them once
and for all. Remember the office organizing mantra: do it,
ditch it or delegate it. File all your papers, dust and vacuum
your office. Reorganize your desk and your office so that you
can find everything you need in 60 seconds or less.
-
Take a mini-break from work. Walk away from your office and
enjoy a day or two of renewal and relaxation. Go to a day spa.
Take a weekend retreat. Go for a walk in the local park.
Breathe.
-
Get
ready for tax season. If your business slows down during
December, no worries! Use that time to prepare your tax files
so that you can whiz through tax season (it’s coming sooner than
you expect!). Tally business-related mileage for year.
Estimate your last tax payment for the current year (many
self-employed people make quarterly estimated tax payments; the
final payment is usually due on January 15). Send your final
invoices for the current year.
-
If
the slow time falls around the holidays, use them to your
advantage. Get into the holiday spirit with your clients by
mailing holiday cards and gifts to them. Make
specially-discounted holiday offers to clients/customers. Offer
them gift certificates that they can give to their family and
friends for your services and products.
-
Do
your accounting. Enter all revenue and expenses into your
recordkeeping system. Balance your checkbook.
-
Become goal-oriented. Take this down-time to look at your
current goals, to see how you’re doing so far and to write some
new goals for the next 12 months. Create an updated marketing
plan and budget. Make sure your budget includes a cash reserve
to cover you during slow business times. Even if this business
slow time falls mid-year, you can still spend time planning for
the next 12-24 months.
-
Go
back to school. List the topics you’d like to study, the classes
you’d like to take, or the books you’d like to read, to keep you
up-to-date with your industry and business skills. Use your
quiet business times to read, study and add to your intelligence
pool.
-
Get
some personal chores done. Slow business times are ideal to
schedule your annual dental and eye exams. It’s also a great
time to clean out the attic, garage or basement. Remember, a
strong personal foundation helps to propel your business
forward.
-
Go
shopping. No, not for personal items (though that’s always
fun!), but for business items. Have you been putting off buying
a new PC? Now’s the time to research what’s out there and
determine your next computer purchase. Is your office chair
uncomfortable? Spend some time at office furniture stores
“butt-testing” for a quality office chair that will support you
properly. Stock up your office supplies. Buy some music CDs to
play in your office to inspire you.
-
Spend time with family and friends. When business is busy, it’s
easy to sequester yourself away to get all that work done. Now
that business is slow, come out of your cocoon and visit with
family and friends. They’ve been wondering where you’ve
disappeared to!
As you can see, slow
business times can be used productively to prepare you for the next
burst of business coming your way. Renew your business, your
office, your Self, and create a firm foundation for the busy
business days ahead! Always ask yourself, “How can I use these days
wisely?”
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Karyn Greenstreet is a Self Employment expert and small business coach. She
shares tips, techniques and strategies with self-employed people to boost
clarity and focus, create sustainable motivation, and increase sales and
profits.
Visit her website at
www.PassionForBusiness.com
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