Just because your prospects are sipping piña coladas doesn’t mean your business has to hit the snooze button
Ah, summer. The season when your inbox gets quieter, your video calls shrink to half their usual size (thanks, vacation auto-replies!), and that beach vacation your competitors are posting on LinkedIn is looking pretty tempting right about now.
But hold up! Before you start browsing flight deals to tropical locales, let’s talk about why summer might just be your secret weapon for crushing it come fall. Think of it as the business equivalent of getting a head start on your New Year’s resolutions – except way more profitable and with significantly less gym anxiety.
1. Strategic Planning: AKA “The Great Business Think-a-Thon”
Remember when you used to complain that you never had time to think strategically because you were too busy putting out fires? Well, congratulations, summer just handed you a fire extinguisher and a hammock.
This is your golden opportunity to channel your inner business philosopher. Pull out those dusty strategic planning documents (we know they’re buried somewhere under that stack of “urgent” emails from March), grab a cold beverage, and get ready to plot world domination. Or at least market domination. I’m not picky.
Strategic planning becomes way more fun when you can set aside time to really sink into it. And there’s something oddly satisfying about planning your Q4 conquest while everyone else is planning their next beach day.
2. Content Creation: Becoming a Marketing Machine
While your competitors are working on their tan lines, you can be working on your content pipeline. Think of it as meal prepping, but for marketing – and infinitely more likely to generate revenue.
This is the perfect time to create those case studies you’ve been meaning to write since 2023, develop that white paper that’s been living in your “someday” folder, and finally record those thought leadership videos without worrying about looking slightly melted from the summer heat.
Pro tip: Nothing says “I’m a forward-thinking leader” quite like having a content calendar that’s locked and loaded before Labor Day. Your future self (and your Q4 sales numbers) will thank you.
3. Team Development: Leveling Up Your Squad
Summer training isn’t just for athletes and camp counselors – it’s for smart business owners who know that investing in their team is like compound interest, but with fewer spreadsheets and more “aha!” moments.
Think of it as summer camp for grown-ups, except instead of making macrame wall hangings, your team is learning valuable new skills that will help your business accelerate when the busy season returns. Plus, team building activities are way more enjoyable when you’re not stealing time between back-to-back client calls.
Cross-training employees now means you won’t be struggling to upskill your team right in the middle of your biggest Q4 push. Smart planning today prevents panic attacks tomorrow.
4. Process Optimization: Marie Kondo Meets Business Operations
Summer is the perfect time to ask the important questions: Does this process spark joy? Or does it spark the kind of frustration that makes you question your life choices?
While the business world takes a collective deep breath, you can finally tackle those operational inefficiencies that have been haunting your dreams (and your profit margins). Update that CRM system that still thinks it’s 2019, streamline those workflows that have more steps than a complicated dance routine, and document those processes that currently exist only in Gary’s head – because Gary’s vacation schedule is not a reliable business continuity plan.
Not utilizing a CRM? I cannot stress enough how a good CRM system can completely transform your sales and marketing efforts and drive better, data driven, decision making.
Think of it as spring cleaning, but in summer, and for your business operations instead of your closet.
5. Relationship Building: Networking Without the Networking Awkwardness
Here’s a little secret: people are generally more relaxed and personable during summer months. It’s like everyone gets a temporary personality upgrade from all that vitamin D.
This is your chance to have those relationship-building conversations that actually feel like conversations instead of sales pitches dressed up in small talk. Schedule coffee meetings (iced coffee counts!), attend those summer networking events that feel more like social gatherings, and nurture existing relationships when the pressure is off.
Your prospects might not be ready to sign contracts while they’re mentally planning their next weekend at the lake, but they’re often more open to building genuine connections. And guess what happens when decision-making season rolls around and they already know, like, and trust you? Easier sales.
The Bottom Line: While Others Chill, You Can Thrill
The beauty of summer isn’t that business stops – it’s that it shifts into a different gear. Smart business owners recognize this seasonal rhythm and use it to their advantage, like surfers who know exactly when to catch the best wave.
So, while your competitors are setting out-of-office messages and mentally checking out, you can be setting yourself up for a spectacular Fall comeback. Nothing feels better than watching your carefully laid summer plans pay off in Q4 results that make your competition wonder what sorcery you’ve been practicing.
Just remember to take some time off too – even business titans need to recharge. The difference is, you’ll be relaxing knowing you’ve already set yourself up for success.
Now go forth and turn that summer slump into a strategic advantage. Your future self (and your bank account) will be sending you thank-you cards come October.
Not sure how to get started? Reach out to me at kristin@kristinluck.com