Your Leadership Checklist For A Successful Summer

Summer is without a doubt my favourite season. But as a business owner and CEO, I’m also painfully aware of the risks of summer ‘downtime’. While summer is a great time for cultivating company culture and team spirit, it can sometimes be a tough time for driving revenue and growing businesses. It can also have a negative impact on company productivity, staff attendance, project delivery, and seasonal performance.

That said, with a little planning, you can manage these kinds of seasonal challenges, and avoid any long-term business setbacks. In fact, there are many businesses that plan ahead and enjoy more success all year round. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the ‘downtime’ and grow your business in the summer months.

Schedule A Summer Review

While the frequency of business reviews typically varies from one company to the next, many successful businesses make time for a mid-year review. This is because it serves as both a status update and business plan for the remainder of the year. As a natural halfway point in the calendar year, summer is often the perfect time for company leaders to take stock of their work and schedule a mid-year review.

The review will give you the opportunity to refresh your targets and refocus on your long-term goals. It will also enable you to monitor your company performance, address any short-term business problems, and come up with creative ways to make more money. From a leadership perspective, it will also give you the perfect chance to check in with your team, and set expectations for the summer months.

Get A Head Start On Projects

Depending on your industry, there might be a fair amount of downtime over the summer. If your clients or customers are typically away on vacation, then it could be the perfect time to work on projects that have previously been put on hold. You can also use the time to get organised and stay ahead of the game for the rest of the year. Once autumn comes around, you’ll have a jump start on your competitors, and be more ready for the second half of the year.

Cultivate A Great Team Culture

Now that you’ve lined up your projects, it’s time to get your team on board. The key here is a good work culture. Take the time to talk to your colleagues about their progress in the first half of the year, and encourage them to take ownership of their summer projects. Ask them for their feedback on the targets you have in mind, and address any concerns they may have about seasonal performance.

Then, it’s time to start taking action. Summer is the perfect time to change up your leadership approach and try out new ways of working. Find fun ways to work together - whether that’s an outdoor meeting or a scheduled workcation. And try to encourage a collaborative and inclusive work culture where team members can easily meet to share ideas and work towards common goals.

Always Have A Contingency Plan

While it’s important to have a vision for your business, and goals for the season, it’s also important to have a contingency plan! Many businesses experience staffing issues over the summer, as it’s generally the peak travel season. There are a few things you can do to prepare - like asking your colleagues to submit their vacation requests early and planning ahead for your staffing needs. This will ensure you have enough people to implement your business strategy all year round.

Reward Great Performance

While meeting performance targets is important, you also need to make sure the workload is realistic and that your team is not at risk of burnout. Summer is the perfect time for your staff to rest and rejuvenate. Reassure them that it’s okay to have a good work-life balance, and encourage them to relax and recharge. After all, a rested team is a more productive and motivated team.

Final Thoughts

While it may be tempting to enjoy the summer slowdown, it doesn’t have to mean losing your business momentum. These tips are just a few ways in which you can continue to grow your business during the summer months and prepare for a big finish. For more helpful tips, or a quick chat, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.