By Tara Palacios, Arlington Economic Development's BizLaunch
Summer is nearly here! You’ve spent the last several months growing your business, managing your business, attending industry events, networking, and so much more. With the remainder of your time, you’ve been having “fun,” attending birthday parties, graduations, weddings, and catching up with the family. Now what?
Take a break.
Yes, take a break. I give you permission. As an entrepreneur, you deserve it. Give yourself time this summer to smell the roses, take care of yourself and recharge the batteries. The following is my list of must-do’s, so you are ready for the fall to further grow and manage your business, and attend more industry events!
Take a break.
Yes, take a break. I give you permission. As an entrepreneur, you deserve it. Give yourself time this summer to smell the roses, take care of yourself and recharge the batteries. The following is my list of must-do’s, so you are ready for the fall to further grow and manage your business, and attend more industry events!
BizLaunch Guide to Taking a Break this Summer
Tip #1 – Take a vacation. Get away from it all, and I mean totally get away. Don’t bring your phone or your laptop. Be really, truly away, and unreachable. Use this time to enjoy something different outside of your business. Remember to exhale. Get those batteries recharged. [Even if you don’t have immediate plans – take some time off this summer and enjoy the weekend.] You will be more productive if you do!
Tip #2 – Focus. After you have been away or have had time (really) off – you’ll be able to recalibrate what you have been doing. Activities which have seemed unsolvable take on a new light. Use your refreshed self to focus on the big, picture items and let go of the items of which you have no control.
Tip #3 – Review Your Business Strategy/Business Plan/Working Doc. Your strategic plan is a living, breathing document. It changes over time. When was the last time you reviewed it? Are you still competitive? How are your prices compared to the competition? Is the market growing or slowing down? Analyze and audit the current position of your business, and identify new opportunities or lines of business. Our SCORE mentors in BizLaunch will be here to meet with you to review existing and new opportunities.
Tip #4 – Take a Business Class. During the long, hot days of summer, you can brush up on the latest trends for social media or understand existing market research opportunities. Use the slow days of summer to take courses to stay relevant in your industry or field. Technology is changing the way we do business every day – make sure you are up-to-date with the latest trends. Understand which tools are best for your industry.
Tip #6 – Networking Opportunities. Use the quiet summer months to plan for opportunities during the rest of the year. Identify where can you best make your mark, and where you may have the best return on investment (I.e., low cost) for your business. Mark down Chamber networking opportunities for the fall and into the winter. Also, make sure you have signed up for the BizLaunch Business Directory. We will be doing a marketing campaign of all businesses in the Directory for the fall.
Tip #7 – Take time for yourself. Don’t forget about you. Yes, there is vacation time; however, factor in time throughout the summer months to smell the roses and do special things for yourself. In BizLaunch, the most successful businesses we see are the ones that balance work, family, and fun. Don’t forget about yourself!
BizLaunch will be preparing for our upcoming educations series for the fall. Stay tuned and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter here. Happy Summer 2019!
Tip #1 – Take a vacation. Get away from it all, and I mean totally get away. Don’t bring your phone or your laptop. Be really, truly away, and unreachable. Use this time to enjoy something different outside of your business. Remember to exhale. Get those batteries recharged. [Even if you don’t have immediate plans – take some time off this summer and enjoy the weekend.] You will be more productive if you do!
Tip #2 – Focus. After you have been away or have had time (really) off – you’ll be able to recalibrate what you have been doing. Activities which have seemed unsolvable take on a new light. Use your refreshed self to focus on the big, picture items and let go of the items of which you have no control.
Tip #3 – Review Your Business Strategy/Business Plan/Working Doc. Your strategic plan is a living, breathing document. It changes over time. When was the last time you reviewed it? Are you still competitive? How are your prices compared to the competition? Is the market growing or slowing down? Analyze and audit the current position of your business, and identify new opportunities or lines of business. Our SCORE mentors in BizLaunch will be here to meet with you to review existing and new opportunities.
Tip #4 – Take a Business Class. During the long, hot days of summer, you can brush up on the latest trends for social media or understand existing market research opportunities. Use the slow days of summer to take courses to stay relevant in your industry or field. Technology is changing the way we do business every day – make sure you are up-to-date with the latest trends. Understand which tools are best for your industry.
Tip #6 – Networking Opportunities. Use the quiet summer months to plan for opportunities during the rest of the year. Identify where can you best make your mark, and where you may have the best return on investment (I.e., low cost) for your business. Mark down Chamber networking opportunities for the fall and into the winter. Also, make sure you have signed up for the BizLaunch Business Directory. We will be doing a marketing campaign of all businesses in the Directory for the fall.
Tip #7 – Take time for yourself. Don’t forget about you. Yes, there is vacation time; however, factor in time throughout the summer months to smell the roses and do special things for yourself. In BizLaunch, the most successful businesses we see are the ones that balance work, family, and fun. Don’t forget about yourself!
BizLaunch will be preparing for our upcoming educations series for the fall. Stay tuned and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter here. Happy Summer 2019!
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