They don’t call them the January blues for nothing. After all the Christmas madness, we’re faced with getting back to business and reality – wallets thinner, waistlines fatter, and the thought of a summer holiday disappointingly out of reach.
It can be a tough time for businesses, which often have to contend with slow sales and grumpy employees. But there are things you can do to make the transition easier.
Keep your team motivated
It’s long been known that January is the most popular time for people to leave their jobs. Keeping staff motivated should be high on your list. And motivation doesn’t have to involve team bonding days or boxes of chocolate (especially not after Christmas!). It could mean ensuring your team members have everything they need, are being set some achievable challenges for the year, or involving them in your business plans over the coming months.
Take some time to work on your goals
Speaking of your plans for the year, it’s a good time to reassess your own goals and aims for your business. While, in an ideal world, this period of reassessment should be happening constantly and year-round, a bit of quiet can give you a chance to reflect without distractions or even to get up close and personal with your numbers.
Renew and refresh
Maybe that new idea of yours never picked up, or perhaps that amazing new product you found last year just isn’t shifting. The New Year is no better time than any to ditch what isn’t working and start something new. Fresh new ideas can work wonders in keeping things exciting. Don’t stagnate!
Hop on the resolution bandwagon
If you’re a gym, then it’s likely that January is your must lucrative time of the year! But for other businesses, you can get on board with the general theme of January. Hospitality businesses do well with healthy offerings, service providers can market to those wanting a fresh start, and let’s not forget those mega retail sales. January is chock-full of opportunities for business, you just have to go and get them!
Look after yourself
It’s easy to get caught up in other people’s negative attitudes or to just focus too hard on the business side of things. But if you’re not running at your peak, then neither is your business. The phrase ‘self-care’ is a bit of a trendy buzzword at the moment, but the concept has been around forever! Do whatever it is that you do to make you feel at your best. Eat well, get those endorphins flowing with a little exercise and even indulge in a little mindfulness if you’re well-practised (or start if you’re not!) – both mind and body need taking care of to ensure you’re ready to take on an exciting new year.
Need a little advice in finding the right direction to go in 2019? We can help you set and achieve your business goals. Get in touch to find out more.