Summer Homework for Your In-plant

A recent Associated Press story listed six things small businesses should do this summer to make the best use of these slow business months. The advice applies to in-plants as well.

• GROW YOUR NETWORK: Get out of the office and meet new people. Go to a conference or networking event. Take advantage of people's lighter summer schedules. E-mail or call potential clients and see if they are willing to grab a coffee with you; they're more likely to say yes in the summer. Improve your digital networking. Connect with people you want to get in front of on social networking websites.
• REFRESH YOUR WEBSITE: Or if you don't have one, it's time to build one. For those who already have a site, make sure it's simple to navigate. The address and phone number for the business should be easy to locate. And the website must be readable on mobile devices.
• ASSESS YOUR GOALS: By the summer, you should know if your in-plant is on track to reach its goals for the year. Take out the list of goals and plans you wrote down at the beginning of the year and make sure you are sticking to them. If you don't think you will meet your goals by the end of the year, set up time to work on them.
• GET YOUR STAFF ON TRACK: Give employees a break from daily duties. Talk to each of them about how they can reach their goals for the rest of the year, and help correct any mistakes.
• AUTOMATE YOUR BUSINESS: Putting aspects of your business on autopilot can save time and money.
• GET AWAY FROM IT ALL: Getting away will recharge your batteries and help you work better. Go on a trip, have a picnic or just stay home a few days and read a book that has nothing to do with your industry.

Read the full story here.