Surviving Slow Season as a Small Business Owner

8/13/2021 (Permalink)

Slow seasons provide a variety of opportunities for small business owners.

The summer season is often a challenge for small business owners in South Florida. As snowbirds head north, the reduction in foot traffic really hurts companies’ ability to draw new customers through the door. Beyond less populated areas, the pandemic has also put a big hiccup in small business owners’ plans for growth. While things like seasonal traveling and an unexpected pandemic are difficult to navigate and impossible to predict, keeping the foot on the gas for new business is critical to surviving. Far too many business owners fail to plan for the worst and are thus stuck in a precarious position during the slow season.

Slow seasons provide a variety of opportunities for small business owners. Remaining open to new ideas, prospective partnerships, and creative strategy is essential for small business owners to remain competitive during rough patches in sales. Below we go over some useful tactics that have worked for small business owners to keep numbers up during a slow season.

Improving Small Business Profit Opportunity During Slow Months

Anticipating slow months means hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. Keeping your staff motivated during slower months can be difficult, but combining creativity with incentive serves as a great method of encouragement. When there is a lull in business, the best leaders turn inward and show (by example) how to thrive in challenging times. The following are some great ideas for maintaining a steady flow of business during any kind of slow season:

• Adjust marketing plans to account for slow months – offering discounts on popular items
• Host a special event in your store
• Utilize social media to entice new business and encourage repeat customers
• Promote your store’s safety policies in relation to COVID preparedness
• Consider sponsoring an event in the local community
• Create an incentive program for your staff where the highest sellers are eligible for an additional day off
• Establish a loyalty program for past customers and promote it via social media and email marketing
• Partner with another likeminded local business and cross-promote each other’s products/services
• Be a true leader – get to the store early and leave late, be motivational, and keep spirits high
• Use downtime to pinpoint internal inefficiencies and plan future marketing strategy

Slow seasons do not have to be scary for small business owners. Use this time to revamp current practices, up your customer service game, and motivate your employees to be their best at all times. Things like promotional events and employee sales incentives will go a long way in combating the dreaded slow season. As a business owner, it is important to plan ahead and prepare your business and its staff to not only survive, but thrive during slow months.