Or should we say a winter-related slow down? Many businesses have a slow season in winter, not just landscaping or retail, but also contractors and other types of businesses. If you expect your business to slow down over the winter, here are a few great ideas for using your time wisely to help you grow your business the rest of the year.

• Get caught up on your sleep — Always my first response! Arranging your business to start an hour later or close up an hour earlier to spend time with your family can help restore your energy and focus later in the year.

• Clean up! — Go through any piles of papers that have languished and get rid of them. I only allow one pile of papers, but occasionally it grows. A good organizing mantra: do it, ditch it, or delegate it. File all your papers, and dust and vacuum your office. Reorganize your desk and your office so that you can find everything you need in 60 seconds or less.

• Take a vacation — It is cold here in the winter, at least normally. I like to go visit my California clients in February. A vacation where it’s warm is awesome too! You don’t even have to feel guilty if you’ve planned ahead moneywise and coverage-wise. It would likely be difficult to vacation during your busiest season.

• Pull out your planning goals — Now is a great time to consult that goal setting plan we created last season (if you are a regular reader of my columns). Get started on your spring marketing projects. Create a measurement tool for tracking your success and the goals you set.

• Shovel away some crap — Renovation, if possible, would be great to do in a slow season. Need more shelves, more storage, or revamped office or inventory space? Now would probably be the best time as there may be less of a chance of an impact. If nothing else, clean, organize, and get rid of unnecessary junk. This can help make your building clean, friendly, and spotless.

• Review your snow day practices — According to Inc Magazine, 44 percent of companies have no written snow day policy. Who may work from home? Is it considered a vacation day?  Determine some guidelines and update your HR Employee handbook.

• Slow day projects list — Today, create a list of slow day projects. Write them down, so that if there are cancelations, unfilled days, or just plain boredom, you have a ready list of things to do.

• Check out social media of your competitors — A little web research of your industry is a great way to use downtime to your advantage.

• Create an event — With traffic slowing down, you may have a little extra time on your hands. Beyond promoting your products or services in your usual ways, plan an event that promotes your brand and that could draw in a crowd of people. It can remind your customers that you are there and possibly attract some first-timers. Definitely plan in advance so you have time to spread the word. It doesn’t have to be expensive. 

Now you have some fun and productive ideas to help you through your winter slow down. Filling any extra time you have could help your business grow even in slow times. If you have some more ideas of your own, give me a call.

Merra Lee Moffitt, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional (CFP®), is a Senior Partner at Good Life Financial Group, Wyomissing. She loves helping business owners grow their financial independence via their businesses. She helps her clients keep work/family balance while they pursue financial success.  It’s part of her financial planning process. A recognized source on Pennsylvania business issues call, click or contact Merra Lee at 610.628.2055, www.Welcome2TheGoodLife.com/MerraLee and merralee.moffitt@lpl.com.