So here's the thing – this fall is going to be rockin busy as it always is in our industry. I wanted to share a few of my tips for finishing off the summer strong while getting ready for 'go time' this fall.
1. Closeout any lingering projects
As OBMs there are the things that absolutely must get done, there are things that should get done and then there things that 'I would love to have done'. See if by the end of the summer you can knock out all of those projects. Often we get so caught up in the absolutely must get done things that we leave the other projects hanging. Or we don't get to the things that might help the flow, create better communication behind the scenes, set the business up to be more easily managed.
Here are just a few projects we completed through the 'lazy days of summer' here at Online Business Manager.com.
- Converted our Certified OBM Training Program from a live 5 day event to a 90 day automated digital access program.
- Cleaned up and organized our Affiliate System in Infusionsoft
- Set up a full lead management funnel for anyone who visits our site and downloads the "100+ Ways and OBM Can Help Boost Your Business' by Tina Forsyth. (which I don't mind saying is freakin awesome and I need to give a shout out to Dan Forsyth for leading the project).
- Launched a NEW OBM only Newsletter (which you are reading now :)
Most of these projects had been in the works for several months but we were able to bring them to a close this summer. And we still have a few more projects to complete before the end of August to fully have our operations running as smooth as possible for all the big things to come this fall.
So if you have a few dangling projects that need just a bit of TLC to complete I challenge to you get them done! You need to free yourself up for the big things your clients will be doing this fall.
A few things I have also covered this summer that are on a quarterly basis but the summer is a good time to give them some focus:
- Look over the SOP Guide to make sure there aren't any gaps or out of date processes
- Get a solid template in place for everything that is 'recurring' in the business, for example following up on declined payments.
- Look at the team, how well is it functioning as a whole? Make sure everyone is on the 'right seat on the bus'. (you want to have solid support around YOU so you can give solid support to your client)
- Make sure all of your team members have taken time off and 'played' a bit this summer, you do not want them tired or burnt-out going into a fall busy season.
2. Plan out the second half of the year (with your clients)
Do you know what the revenue generators are for your clients between now and January 1, 2013? If not, I suggest you chat with your clients about it very soon.
I have had clients in the past who slowed things down purposefully in the summer months to enjoy their kids being home and such… but come August it is time to create a plan. Often my clients were not ready to get started on that plan till September when the kids go back to school. However, what that meant for me was, rushing launches, crazy hours, crunch time in every direction come September. PLEASE do not do this to yourself or your team. Even if your client isn't ready to go at it full swing here in August do your best to get everything planned out, set up and ready for their full return.
This will save you a lot of chaos and allow your client to fully feel the support they deserve!
3. Organize Yourself
If you are at all like me you have had kids home all summer. Work has been maintained between breaking up fights (LOL… 11 yr old and 14 yr old), running kids to and fro, and later than usual mornings in the bed (woo hoo).
If you don't have kids maybe you have enjoyed a few extra vacations this summer or more days out in the sun playing ;-)
Either way I have found by the end of August my usually tidy very organized office, house, and routine has become a hot mess… therefore I like to get everything in order, ideally before the kids are back in school. Then I'm ready to rock – n – roll for the rest of the year. This can even include things like cleaning out the closets, dusting under the beds and getting my home ready for calm, quiet hours of work when we are back to our regular schedule.
When you do this you feel so much focus and energy toward what you are doing. There is no worse feeling than sitting down to work but thinking: 'I should be taking care of something else'. Get the something else's out of the way and prepare your surroundings for a strong finish this 2012 year!
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