"This has been an unusually slow summer for my business. What should I focus on to have a better Fall season, and how can I keep my staff motivated and busy now?”
July 29, 2009 - Syracuse Post Standard
Tracy:
I have heard the same thing from many women entrepreneurs across Central New York so you are not alone. Since our region depends on the success of all size businesses to survive, not just the big ones, green ones or women owned ones, we must all focus on buying from, selling to, and strategically marketing to businesses not only locally but regionally.
I personally encourage women entrepreneurs to get on the “road” and expand their marketplace by attending events in other regional cities. At our last luncheon, we had women here from Ithaca, Penn Yan, Albany, and Rochester. They believe in Women TIES mission of regional networking, and it works. I encourage your company to embrace the same philosophy.
August is also the perfect time to revisit sales and marketing plans set in January. By re-examining your goals, re-evaluating the economy, tracking your sales and setting new strategies, you’ll be focused on a more successful fourth quarter sales period.
Julie:
Summer is traditionally our slowest time of the year, but there are always things you can do to develop your business.
One of our projects has been to eliminate slow moving inventory items, so we created a new section on our website. We designed new gifts using the discontinued items along with regular inventory and mark them at a discount. It’s a win-win for everyone. The closeouts gifts are an attractive option for cost-conscious customers and we get something for the items rather than tossing them or storing them indefinitely. In the meantime, we’re putting guidelines in place to streamline inventory for the future.
We’ve also taken a good look at our regular catalog. People have not stopped buying gifts; they are just a little more budget conscious. We still offer more lavish items, but we’ve added additional price points and gotten creative with designing less expensive gifts. We’ve actually been fairly busy this summer; I suspect it’s because we’re offering a larger selection of more affordable gifts.
Theresa:
Your question has definitely been talked about often amongst entrepreneurs this season. Business owners are absolutely struggling to keep staff motivated during this summer slow down.
Keep in mind your staff may be nervous due to the recession and wonder where the business is headed. Be honest with them; openly discuss the state of your company and let them know how your business plan is laid out. Brief your staff on your plans for the fall; what new contracts you are working on, customer contacts or new product/service lines planned for the future.
Liberate your staff by sending them out of the office to network and make new contacts themselves. It’s easy to become nervous sitting behind a desk and hoping that things improve, it’s empowering to be out amongst the business community and talking about your company. Excitement generates excitement – begin with your own excitement and let your staff loose to take it out to the community
Older Articles:
July 14, 2009 -"What essential elements have you used to train quality staff to work for your companies?"
June 30, 2009 -"I am careful about my FICO score for personal reasons however now that I'm a business owner I'm wondering how that could affect my business (if at all). What are some of the things I need to be aware of surrounding credit and running a business?"
June 16, 2009 -“Within the last 24 hours, I had the best and worst customer service experiences from two different businesses. I want to make sure my customers receive the best service possible all the time. In your opinion, what does that really take?”
June 02, 2009 -"I've heard a lot about companies going bankrupt that were suppliers to GM or Chrysler - mainly because they were their biggest (or only) customer. How do I maintain a diverse customer base as not to depend too much on one client for business?"
May 19, 2009 -"How have you become more creative or used creativity to grow your business?"
May 05, 2009 -"Do you have advice on staying productive when productivity levels fluctuate due to changing seasons, slower sales periods, or consumer shopping habits?"
April 21, 2009 -"My business is changing rapidly right now. Some changes are big and some are small. How have you dealt with change in your companies?"
April 07, 2009 -"I've noticed some of my customers have become slow to pay. What are some ways I can best manage my cash flow?"
March 24, 2009 -"I need to invest time and money to attend more professional educational and sales events this year. What is a good guide in budgeting money and time away from my business for these types of events?"
March 10, 2009 -“I know that social media is a great resource for publicizing my business, but there are so many options! Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Ning, YouTube…where do I start?”
February 24, 2009 -"I've been an entrepreneur for ten years and even though my company is pretty established, the economy has definitely slowed down business. I'm thinking of starting a second, non-related business to help bring in revenue. Do you think that is smart?"
February 10, 2009 -"I feel I'm behind the times not having a business blog. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having one?"
January 27, 2009 -"I own an upscale business in the wedding industry which has been hurt by the economy. I'm thinking of turning my full time business into a seasonal business. Do you have advice on how to make the transition?"
January 13, 2009 -"Due to some poor customer service actions by our company at the end of last year, we are beginning to lose clients. How can I repair my reputation and regain business in 2009?"
December 30, 2008 -"What is the most important lesson you learned this year that could help other entrepreneurs in 2009?"
December 16, 2008 -"As a small business owner, I get numerous end-of-the-year contribution requests. Do you have any corporate charitable giving policies in place or advice to help me manage these requests?"
December 02, 2008 -“With a new year approaching, I need to negotiate some long standing client contracts. Do you have any success strategies on contract negotiations?"
November 18, 2008 -"I have an experienced manager who dislikes some employees based on his own personal feelings rather than on the employees’ technical expertise, good performance and loyalty to the organization. His decisions are affecting the success of his department. Is it better to keep an experienced manager or to let him go?
November 04, 2008 -"What factors help you decide to take risks with your business?"
October 21, 2008 -“I’d like to place my company in a stronger position to weather the current economic situation. Do you have any good tips for reducing costs?"
October 07, 2008 -"As we face an uncertain economy, how do I plan for fourth quarter sales?"
September 16, 2008 -"How can I make networking events really worth my while? I don't have time to attend events that are more social than business in nature?"
August 19, 2008 -"I want to help my staff excel in their positions this year. What suggestions do you have for assisting and inspiring them to their full potential?"
July 22, 2008 -“I'm looking into signing my first office lease. Do you have any advice on what to look for in the contract or what to ask for from the landlord?”
April 01, 2008 -"One of my favorite vendors had to finally close his doors after a decade in business. I am facing some problems of my own and wonder how I know when it is time to give up or keep going?"
February 19, 2008 -"Another entrepreneur suggested I do more online marketing to grow my business. Do you have information regarding online marketing methods like weblogs, social networks or forums?"
January 29, 2008 -"In the beginning stages of my business, customer service is what set my organization apart from my competition. Now that we're going through a period of rapid growth, how do I keep that same level of service?"
January 15, 2008 -"As an entrepreneur, I know it's vital to recruit, train and manage a good team to be successful. Do you have advice on how to do one, two or all of these well?"
January 01, 2008 -"With the new year beginning, what one piece of advice do you have to help entrepreneurs become more successful this year?"
June 22, 2006 -How do you stay motivated when you’re feeling burned out?
June 08, 2006 -Do you have any suggestions for ways to cut costs or save money?
May 24, 2006 -What’s the best sales advice you’ve received that you can pass on to other entrepreneurs?
May 11, 2006 -I love my business but I know I don't want to do it forever. Any suggestions
on what I should be doing now to plan for the future?
April 26, 2006 -We are a small company that receives a lot requests for donations and sponsorships. How can we decide which opportunities will give us the best exposure?
April 12, 2006 -Do you have suggestions on branding?
March 01, 2006 -I own a beauty shop and another beauty shop is opening up right next to me.
Do you have any suggestions on how I can make my business standout as people drive or walk by?
February 01, 2006 -Have you adapted or changed your business since you started? What
advice do you have for making changes?"
September 28, 2005 -How do you turn a sales lead into a sale?
September 13, 2005 -What do you do when business has leveled off and you need to increase your bottom line?
August 31, 2005 -I started a business recently and wondered where I could meet and get advice from other entrepreneurs.
August 17, 2005 -As an entrepreneur do you feel it's important to be a part of a board of directors for other companies/organizations or to have your own board to help with business growth?
August 03, 2005 -I've started planning for Fall business and see opportunities to participate in a number of trade events. Do you have suggestions for participating, selling, or benefiting from trade shows?
March 16, 2005 -I've been in business fifteen years and haven't grown my business because I feel my clients hire me for my creativity. I'm starting to turn down business because I'm so busy and don't know how to grow. Do you have suggestions?
March 02, 2005 -I'm interested in starting an entrepreneurial venture, what business should I choose?
February 16, 2005 -What do I need to know about accounting and bookkeeping for my new business venture?
February 02, 2005 -Because of circumstances beyond my control, I was forced to relocate my salon twice in one year. I'm in a great location now, but we lost many of our old clients while we were closed. Do you have any ideas on how I can get the word out about our new location and build business back up?
January 19, 2005 -I'm at the point in my business where I really need to hire some part time help. Do you have any suggestions on how to make this go smoothly?
January 05, 2005 -I've owned a photo developing business for ten years and added a higher end custom framing business to my company a year ago. The framing business is doing well but I'm still primarily known for photo developing. How can I change my image and obtain more framing clients?
December 22, 2004 -What's the one piece of advice you would give to someone starting a new business in 2005?
December 08, 2004 -How did you know that you wanted to start your own business?
November 24, 2004 -I have been in business for just a few years and have hit a plateau, any ideas on how to get beyond it?
November 10, 2004 -I would like to come up with a way to thank my clients for their ongoing support and business. Any ideas?
September 15, 2004 -How do you balance servicing your clients while finding time to market your new business?
September 01, 2004 -I've been in business for three years, and I'm struggling with staying motivated. Do you have any tips to keep me going?
July 07, 2004 -What kinds of business or professional development courses would you recommend for someone getting started in business?
June 23, 2004 -This is the first time I'm taking a vacation since starting my business two years ago. Do you have some tips on how to take time off and not worry about business while I'm gone?
June 09, 2004 -How do you determine a price for your product or service?
May 24, 2004 -I recently made a mistake on a client's order. Have you ever made a mistake with a client? How did you handle it and did you lose the client?
May 12, 2004 -What do you do when a client asks too much?
April 28, 2004 -I just started my business and have been making cold calls to generate sales. I hate making cold calls and wondered if you have any other suggestions for getting through this process and securing new clients?
April 14, 2004 -I get a lot of requests for donations. I feel like I should, but I
don't always have the money. The requests always seem to come at the worst time, what should I do?
March 31, 2004 -I've been in business for a couple years and would like advice from other entrepreneurs on specific business issues. How do you find entrepreneurial advice?
March 17, 2004 -Have you had to deal with any intellectual property issues as an entrepreneur? If so, what have you learned and what advice do you have for small businesses?
March 03, 2004 -Are there monies or grants available for entrepreneurial endeavors?
February 18, 2004 -Recently a friend lost his office and its contents in a fire and another associate had a sudden death in her family which kept her from running her business. Do you have suggestions for emergency planning for entrepreneurs?
February 04, 2004 -As a small business owner, I'm always looking for cost cutting measures. Do you have any suggestions on ways to save money?
February 01, 2004 -How do you maintain balance between running your business and managing your responsibilities to your family?
January 21, 2004 -My partner and I just bought a local business and we?ve been operating it for six months. What are some good ways, other than monetarily, to incentivize a small business staff, many of whom are part-time?
January 06, 2004 -It's a new year and I'm thinking of starting my own business. What books would you recommend for a person interested in starting their own business?
December 24, 2003 -I've been running my business for about one year and at times I get overwhelmed by it. Have you felt this way too and do you have any suggestions on how to handle stressful times?
December 10, 2003 -As the new year approaches, do you recap your business successes and failures when looking ahead to the next year? What methods would you suggest to an entrepeneur planning for business in the new year?
November 26, 2003 -How do you keep your business profile high when you are a small business?
November 12, 2003 -What would you do if you competition opened a store across the street from your business?
October 28, 2003 -I'm the owner of a convenience store, I've been in business for 2 years and my question is: You've been running your businesses for a number of years, can you tell me when and how you got out of debt and started turning a profit?
October 15, 2003 -What do you do when you sense you have reached a plateau and want to break through to the next level?
July 09, 2003 -Column tackles small business questions
July 09, 2003 -I just started a business and I don't have a lot of money for traditional advertising. What inexpensive marketing tools would you suggest to promote my business?
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