"Do you have advice on staying productive when productivity levels fluctuate due to changing seasons, slower sales periods, or consumer shopping habits?"

May 05 2009 - Syracuse Post Standard

Tracy:
One way to be consistently productive in business is to understand your typical sales pattern over a year. Some companies are busy all year long, but many have fluctuating sales cycles which are effected by outside influences. For example, Central New York roofers aren’t working as often in February and tourist retail shops are booming from Memorial to Labor Day. Understanding your business cycle is essential to being productive year round and during your on-and-off seasons.
Analyze two or three past business years to see if a pattern exists and then find a way to be more productive before, during and after your sales surges. You might host strategic planning and budgeting sessions, with key advisors and staff, during slower sales periods so you and your staff are most productive selling during your high season. Training, innovation and capital improvements might occur when there are lulls in business. Planning around repetitive productive and nonproductive times can make you more successful.

Julie:
While it’s always tempting to kick back a little when business is slow, we’ve found this is a great time to get a better handle on our Big Picture. What’s working and what isn’t? What can we do to make the business run more profitably and more smoothly? Often we file ideas and thoughts in the back of our heads to address “when we have the time”. Making some long range plans, looking at new products, and updating our gift catalog and website are all good use of our “down time”.
There is also much to be said for planning time off around anticipated seasonal slowdowns. Getting away from the business totally for a week or so gives us time to clear our heads, regroup, and get the creative juices flowing. Having the opportunity for a fresh outlook on your business can be invaluable.

Theresa:
We have specific industry ‘slow downs’ and plan accordingly. During those months we update our business plan and look at future needs for staffing and/or expansion. It’s a perfect time to focus heavily on marketing plans and research consumer trends. We also encourage employees to use this time for out-of-the-office training and vacations.
During slow periods we clean out and update files, evaluate job descriptions and appraise our accounting systems. Use this opportune time to meet with your CPA, attorney, banker or insurance agent to go over policies, procedures and protocols. These are key players you need to periodically touch base with.
Utilize this time to reconnect with your staff. Plan a yearly party or luncheon to regroup and celebrate your accomplishments. When we work so hard during those frantic times, we often lose touch with those we work the closest with. It’s a wonderful time of year to bring staff together and celebrate!