If you’ve experienced plenty of interest in your business, had your inbox filled to the brim, and your phone ringing off the hook, a sudden halt in leads and customer inquiries can come as a shock. For inexperienced business owners, this can cause panic. Immediately, they worry they’ve done something wrong and business will not pick up ever again.
Business downtime is expected, though. Typically, it comes after a busy season, such as the first few months of January or after Black Friday as deals and promotions expire and everyone has what they need. But, you shouldn’t sit around and twiddle your thumbs just because business is slow. Instead, this downtime gives you and your team the chance to improve your business and stay productive.
Upgrade Software and Equipment
One of the most effective things you can do is upgrade your software and other office equipment. It doesn’t matter if you run a tech company, clothing company, or hospitality business, there is always something you can do to make improvements.
Refreshing and upgrading your systems will allow programs to run quicker, boosting efficiency within the office. Likewise, bespoke clothing companies can upgrade their equipment to high-quality HappyJapan embroidery machines, which could improve the quality of their garments and impress customers.
These upgrades may take up a considerable amount of your budget, but it will be worth it once installed, and the upgrades will not disrupt a busy season so you can continue to work when required.
Outline Your Next Strategy
With business slower than usual, you can take this opportunity to consider your next moves, whether it is planning marketing campaigns or carrying out research to help you avoid bad investments that could damage your company and its reputation.
A content calendar should be a high priority as it allows you and your marketing team to be prepared for upcoming events, both worldwide and within your industry. This can help improve your reach as it spreads brand awareness and could aid in entering new markets across the globe.
Furthermore, look at previous strategies and consider how you could improve them. Ask yourself what went well and what did not work as you’d hoped. This analysis will be crucial for designing a more effective strategy next time.
Work on New Leads
Businesses should always be searching for new leads to expand their customer base. However, this is easier said than done when business is slow. At the moment, no one needs your service or product, so you’ll need to seek these leads yourself.
You can also improve existing leads. Start by cleaning up your mailing list and adjusting your lead generation practices. Use lead scoring to identify potential visitors who are on the cusp of becoming legitimate customers, and consider how you can appeal to them.
Email segmentation and redesigning your email and social media approaches can improve lead generation and hopefully attract more customers.
Expand Your Skill Set
You shouldn’t just use company downtime to improve your business. You can also use this time for professional development of both you and your team.
Although everyone has something they are good at, you want to develop employees who boast a wide range of skills that can help them move fluidly throughout your business and help them succeed in their careers. Offering personal development courses and programs can make this possible.
Don’t forget to focus on yourself, too. Even reading relevant books can offer a new insight you may not have considered previously. With this newfound knowledge, you can approach new projects with a more confident idea of what you want.
Obtain Customer Feedback
Customer feedback is essential for making improvements to your business. Although they aren’t knocking down the door to use your service, you can still get their assistance and advice.
Send out feedback emails to find out how their experience was with your business. Your customers may be too busy to fill out a form without any incentive, though. It can be beneficial to include offers and promotions which gives them a reason to share their thoughts.
These incentives can also guarantee they return to your business when they need, which helps maintain your customer base and can improve brand loyalty.
Compare Your Business With Its Competitors
Slow business times will give you the chance to check out what your competitors are doing. This is something you should strive for all year round, but you can generate ideas and see how they cope with slow business, especially if your competitors are more established.
This shouldn’t include outright copying their methods; you want your business to be unique, after all. Still, established competitors will be savvier than you in some areas, so you must take these lessons from them wherever possible.
Giveaways, promotions, and a strong social media presence will keep their name in customers’ mouths, and you can do the same to ensure existing and soon-to-be customers flock to your service once business picks up again.
Give Yourself a Break
You should already be aware that breaks at work will help you clear your head and boost your energy levels, which has a direct effect on productivity. If you spend more of the year feeling pulled every which way, now is your chance to give yourself some time to recover.
With less demand, you can be more flexible with your hours, as well as your team’s hours. Flexibility will give everyone the chance to catch up on other duties, both personal and professional. In doing so, you can reduce stress levels and avoid burnout.
Once everyone feels recovered, you can hit the ground running with ease once demand rises again.
Making the Most of It
Slow times are natural in business, and you should take advantage of them as much as you can./ as the ears progress, you’ll find it easier to predict when business is about to slow down. Allowing you to get a headstart on everything you’ve been forced to put off for too long. In doing so, you’ll improve your business without being stretched too thinly, ensuring you’re more prepared for when sales and inquiries pick up again.
