Summer is almost here! Kids will be out of school and employees will be planning summer vacations, beach trips, and barbecues. Statistically, employee productivity drops during summertime. This makes it hard for you, as a business owner, to continue to grow and expand your company during this time of year.
However, there is no need to think the summer slump is inevitable. Here is how to avoid this seasonal slump in productivity all-together:
Share your overall purpose
You know your overall purpose and the drive of your company better than anyone else. Be sure to share this with your entire staff. This can open up conversation and allow employees to think creatively. Starting this conversation and reiterating the company’s purpose may help spark creative and new ideas within your employees, team leads, and executives.
Examine and share your quarterly goals
Even though the quarter doesn’t officially begin until July, start examining your summer goals now. Once you have them established, make sure to share these goals while reiterating any existing targets that are yet to be met by the end of June. Providing a quantifiable target can keep your employees motivated – and help them think of bright ideas that will allow your team to reach their targets, faster.
Assign responsibility
The standard practice is to give employees precise responsibilities that fall under a specific job title. Instead of handing someone a piece of paper saying “these are the functions you must perform”, rethink this strategy. Take a look at your company goals and purposes and assign each employee specific responsibilities that will forward the overall goals and purposes.
This means that an employee assigned as a receptionist would not just be told to “answer the phones”. This employee would be asked to enter into a dialog with each telephone call, establishing the needs and desires of the person calling. Then they are responsible for getting the caller to the right party, scheduling an appointment, or answering questions as the case may be. The end result they are working to achieve: a happy and properly handled customer who will call back/use your services.
That description and set of responsibilities can change an important job (receptionist) from drudgery to a necessary and interesting position.
Reward high producers
Those employees who make (or exceed) the targets you have set or have completely filled their duties should be rewarded. This doesn’t have to be done with a bonus. High production can be rewarded with a paid day off, with a pre-paid activity for the employee and their family, or even with a gift. Just make sure your best producers know you appreciate them and their hard work.
Keep things fun
A wonderful way to keep employees engaged is to create a game for them to participate in. This game could be that each employee in sales get five sales a day or that your receptionist gets the appointment calendar filled for the next two weeks. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something fun that your employees can both enjoy and WIN.
Are you hoping to expand your business this summer? Contact us today! We are here to help your business grow and thrive.
