116. What To Do If It’s Slow: Summer Strategy Series

07/18/22 • 20 min

There’s always going to be seasons of quiet. Many times that happens in summer. Times when things are a little slow at the shop, not as busy... but don’t panic. This is normal.

So, for this episode, I have five strategies to help you optimize those slow seasons. Strategies that will help you move forward during a not-so-busy season.

Embrace a little downtime - Be OK with your shop not being crazy busy. Allow the slow times to happen and embrace the fact that rest is essential.
Refresh your space - This is not so much about the merchandising, but regular shop maintenance. Need touch-up paint? Need to organize? Dust? Try and focus on the little things you never have time for during the busy season, and don’t be afraid to get your team involved.
Plan your events - Have a team meeting and start planning for Q3 and Q4. Fill up your idea parking lot. No idea is a bad idea here!
Update your operations - Your contracts, policies & procedures, manuals, opening and closing checklists, operations etc.
Learn something new - What do you wish you were better at? We all have something. Use this time to fill your skills gaps - our numbers, marketing strategy, POS systems, social media, your website, take a course. Whatever it may be, it’s time to level up!

Maybe you just need to rest.

That’s ok too.

We want to show up at our very best when it gets busy again. Utilize your downtime to better prepare for what’s coming in Q3 and Q4. Be on the lookout for our Holiday Boot Camp in August!

NAME it. CLAIM it. Then you can TAME it.

Full show notes here https://wendybatten.com/116/

There’s always going to be seasons of quiet. Many times that happens in summer. Times when things are a little slow at the shop, not as busy... but don’t panic. This is normal.

So, for this episode, I have five strategies to help you optimize those slow seasons. Strategies that will help you move forward during a not-so-busy season.

Embrace a little downtime - Be OK with your shop not being crazy busy. Allow the slow times to happen and embrace the fact that rest is essential.
Refresh your space - This is not so much about the merchandising, but regular shop maintenance. Need touch-up paint? Need to organize? Dust? Try and focus on the little things you never have time for during the busy season, and don’t be afraid to get your team involved.
Plan your events - Have a team meeting and start planning for Q3 and Q4. Fill up your idea parking lot. No idea is a bad idea here!
Update your operations - Your contracts, policies & procedures, manuals, opening and closing checklists, operations etc.
Learn something new - What do you wish you were better at? We all have something. Use this time to fill your skills gaps - our numbers, marketing strategy, POS systems, social media, your website, take a course. Whatever it may be, it’s time to level up!

Maybe you just need to rest.

That’s ok too.

We want to show up at our very best when it gets busy again. Utilize your downtime to better prepare for what’s coming in Q3 and Q4. Be on the lookout for our Holiday Boot Camp in August!

NAME it. CLAIM it. Then you can TAME it.

Full show notes here https://wendybatten.com/116/

Previous Episode

115. Summer Strategy Series: How To Tame All of Those Great Ideas

Have you grabbed my four module Retail Made Simple course yet!? It’s now available on demand! It’s a success path for creative shop owners just like you.

We’re entrepreneurs, we’re creatives. We are naturally idea machines.Having so many ideas, though, is a blessing and a curse. So how do you tame all of those wonderful ideas? How do you know which ideas to say yes to and which to say no to? Here are three steps that will help you control and funnel through all of those thoughts in your head and help you put them in the right place:

Big Picture Planning - Put things through a funnel. Does this idea fit into our plan? Do you have the bandwidth to follow through?
Is it Passion Project: - Is this idea something you’d be willing to get up at 5 am for?
The Ideal Parking Lot - When a wonderful idea comes to you, write them down either on paper or digitally.

Stay focused on what’s moving the needle and what’s making you revenue. Stay in the lane that’s working and add creative things as you pull them out of your parking lot when the timing is right.

Full show notes here https://wendybatten.com/115/

Next Episode

117. Five Takeaways From My Vacation for YOU!

I just recently returned from a beautiful two week road trip. When I travel, I make it a point to shop small and visit as many shop owners as I can. Today, I want to share with you my experience and five important lessons that will help you be better found and look at occasional visitors in a new, lucrative way.

Get Found - Are you on Google My Business, Google Maps, are you in local business directories, etc? There is such value in being found by new people.
Get Reviews - Include them on your website, Google My Business, and social media platforms. They matter.
Shop Front & Signage - Is it visibly appealing, inviting and clear?
Do local businesses know you? - It’s all in the power of conversation. When other local businesses talk up your shop, it only brings more people in.
A reminder - take the vacation! - Refocus. Reset. Take care of your mental health and wellbeing. Make this a priority. It will help your business in the long run!

Put yourself in a position where you are easily found by as many awesome new humans as possible.

Full show notes at https://wendybatten.com/117/