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As we are now in June, summer’s unmistakably on its way, although not if you look at the weather outside! Summer means a whole range of things, from barbecues to strawberries and cream at Wimbledon, but for most of us it means going on holiday.

If you own a business, perhaps the main connection between that and vacations seems making sure everything’s covered. But does your choice of holiday reflect the way you run the business?

Your Choice of Summer Holidays

There’s no wrong choice of holiday, as long as it’s something that appeals to you. Whether your taste is for the pool and the clubs in Ibiza or for trekking in the Himalayas, it’s your holiday.

Of course, most of us are creatures of habit, and that’s not always a bad thing. It was originally a survival strategy, and in the modern world it can help us be efficient and productive. However, it can also leave us stuck in a rut, if we don’t challenge ourselves. Even the same Himalayan trek, year after year, would become unadventurous.

That’s why sharing a holiday with someone can be both a challenge and an opportunity. As long as you’re reasonably compatible and willing to meet each other halfway, you might end up trying things you’d have never thought of otherwise.

Your Choice of Business Approach

So what does this have to do with your business? Well, here too you can opt either for being safe and familiar or for being adventurous — and, just like your summer holidays, that can work in two different ways.

Your business itself can follow a well-ploughed furrow or strike out in an unexpected direction. Again, there’s no right or wrong. If you’re an accountant or a solicitor (and we’ll always need those) you might reasonably take the view that if the model’s not broken, you don’t fix it. Or you might have a new, unexpected business model no-one’s thought of before.

Whichever you go for, though, you’ll develop ways and habits of running your business. They’ll help you run it more efficiently, but every so often it’s good to be challenged to try something new. Whether or not you choose to take up the challenge — well, that’s up to you.

Changing Directions

If you do feel it would be a good idea to try something new — whether that’s a different angle on something familiar or a bold new direction — you’ll need planning and maybe help. You’re very welcome to get in touch with the Resource Centre if you think we might help you.

On the other hand, we don’t make any guarantees about our advice on your summer holiday.

 

The period from late March to the end of May seems to be the season for bank holidays. Two at Easter, one at the beginning of May, one at the end — it almost seems as if a five-day week is the exception.

It can be disruptive, but bank holidays were originally introduced for sound reasons that benefitted everyone. And the same principles can help your business grow.

The Origin of Bank Holidays

Traditionally, workers in Britain were given certain religious days off work. this was primarily for going to church, though the rest of the day could be used for relaxation. In 1834, however, all these holidays except Christmas Day and Good Friday were abolished.

During the 19th century, a movement gradually gathered strength to introduce new holidays. Although the initial impetus was from campaigners for workers’ rights, many enlightened industrialists realised that they’d actually gain more than they lost through refreshed workers with a more positive attitude.

The Bank Holidays Act 1871 created four statutory holidays in England and Wales (Scotland had slightly different arrangements). Easter Monday, Whit Monday, August Bank Holiday and Boxing Day joined the two “from time immemorial” holidays, and the list has grown and changed since then.

The Benefits of Holidays to Business

Just like in 1871, business owners recognise that giving their employees enough time off is more than just an unwelcome obligation. Besides providing adequate rest, employees who have a good work-life balance are far more valuable than those who don’t.

For one thing, they’re less stressed, and consequently less likely to make mistakes. For another, a fully-rounded life plays an important role in creativity. If you want your staff to be popping with great ideas, you need them to spend time with their family, playing sports, making music — whatever’s important to them outside work.

You and the Work-Life Balance

It’s not only your employees who need a great work-life balance, though. Running a business can be stressful and full time, especially if you’re on your own. Because it’s so vital to make a success of your business, you may be tempted to devote all your time to it, at the expense of your personal life and relationships.

It doesn’t have to be either/or. Whether you hire staff to take on some of your responsibilities or outsource the tasks you don’t enjoy, it’s crucial to get your balance back.

You’re very welcome to get in touch for a chat about possible strategies. And, if you’re tempted to work through one of the upcoming bank holidays — why not do something fun instead. Your business will benefit.

All businesses need accurate data, especially about actual or potential customers, in order to develop marketing strategies.

However, the data you hold about people, especially the people you’re trying to convert into customers, is far more strictly policed now than it was just a year ago. So how do you make sure you have the data you need without falling foul of GDPR?

Why Might Your Data Be Out of Date?

The business world you move in isn’t a static one. Micro-businesses come and go: perhaps the owner gets interested in something different, and starts a new business, or maybe they conclude that running a business isn’t for them. In a larger company, people come and go — perhaps including your contacts.

This may mean that the email or phone number you have no longer exists, or that the person on the other end doesn’t know who you are — so you have to start again from scratch. Or it may mean that you’re trying to market to someone who no longer needs your services. All a waste of time and money.

Keeping Your Data Up to Date

Even if you have a sophisticated database, such as a CRM system, it’s not enough to leave it just sitting there. You can do a number of things to make sure you have the latest data.

You can ask people for as many points of contact as possible, whether alternative phone numbers and emails or social media links. It helps if they get something back for taking the trouble of providing this — a voucher, perhaps, or a piece of advice exclusive to these people.

Removing bad data can go hand in hand with reaching out to your contacts on a regular basis. Either giving people a call once a month or sending out a newsletter reminds them that you’re there, as well as identifying dead connections that can be removed.

Are You Being Legal?

GDPR isn’t really scary, but it is the law and has to be followed. The two most important things to bear in mind are that you have to be able to tell anyone what data you’re keeping about them (and be able to delete it, if they ask you to) and that you can only send them marketing communication with their explicit consent.

The main downside of GDPR is that following its requirements can be time-consuming. On the other hand, you can outsource keeping your data up to date and GDPR compliant. You’re very welcome to get in touch with us if you’d be interested in how we could help you.

By this stage of the winter, most of us have already had at least one cold. And your business isn’t that much different. It’s not just distractions like Christmas and the tax return deadline. Both you and your customers may have the winter blues and not be motivated to try anything adventurous.

Look After Yourself

It’s easy just to accept colds, flu and other bugs as a fact of life in a British winter. To some extent they are, but you can protect yourself. After all, if you’re ill for most of the winter, you’ll be able neither to enjoy your life or run your business effectively.

Having the flu jab doesn’t guarantee to protect you against all forms of flu, but it certainly helps. Otherwise, you can build up resistance to bugs by healthy living throughout the year.

Exercise is vital, and so is a healthy diet — and this means eating the right food, not necessarily less. In particular, ensure you get the full recommended intake of all vitamins, whether from your diet or from supplements.

Look After Your Business

Just as your body needs care and nurturing, so does your business. This is especially important in a period of downturn, whether for personal or economic reasons. Once momentum has been lost, it’s hard to recover it.

This means working hard to motivate your employees, your customers — and yourself, of course. Perhaps you could brainstorm with your staff to come up with new approaches and innovations they can feel invested in. It’s important, too, to give everybody (including yourself) targets that are challenging but achievable. And rewards are also important, both for your staff and yourself. They don’t need to be substantial — receiving a reward is more important than what it is.

Be sure to engage your customers as well, with new and exciting marketing, both for new prospects and old faithfuls. Your aim is to energise people who may be marking time till they feel more dynamic into enthusiasm about what you’re offering.

It’s Not Just for Winter

Just as staying healthy for winter involves working at it all year round, keeping your business healthy needs input twelve months a year. This includes the good times, when you’re getting as much work in as you can handle. It’s important not to take your foot off the pedal then, as your business may suffer for it a few months down the line.

Why not have a chat with us to see how we can help you reach out to new clients? Whatever season it might be.