As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, the back-to-school season offers a perfect opportunity for small business owners across Surrey to refresh and refocus.
Just as students return to their studies, itโs time for you to get back to business with renewed energy and strategic planning.
William Wilsnagh, one of our expert business advisors, has five practical tips to help you kickstart your business this autumn.
1. Take stock of your Annual Goals – and set new ones for the quarter
Having worked in business for 20 years in South Africa, September was normally a time when we dusted down our flip flops. In Surrey, Iโm becoming accustomed to this time of year requiring wellington boots.
Regardless of the temperature outdoors, the start of a new season is an excellent time to review your annual goals.
Assess your progress so far and identify areas where you may need to adjust your strategies.
Setting new, achievable goals based on the SMART framework for the upcoming quarter can provide a clear roadmap and keep your team motivated. Clear actions and timelines based on this are essential, broken down into weekly, monthly or quarterly segments.
Whether you’re increasing sales, launching a new product, or improving customer service, having specific targets will help you stay focused and measure your success.
If youโre looking for free and practical support, then weโre more than happy to help. Just get in touch via our business support form.
2. Open yourself up to learning
Just as students are diving into new subjects, autumn is a great time for business owners to embrace learning. Consider taking a course, attending workshops, or reading industry-related books to enhance your skills and knowledge.
Staying updated with the latest trends and technologies can give you a competitive edge and inspire innovative ideas for your business. Encourage your team to do the same, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Start off as you mean to go on by signing up to a series of FREE webinars Business Surrey is hosting in October. These sessions are targeted specifically at SMEs like yours and will cover themes such as HR and finance and funding strategies.
3. Embrace new routines
With the change in season, itโs an ideal time to shake up your daily routines. Evaluate your current processes and identify areas where you can improve efficiency.
Implementing new routines can help streamline operations and boost productivity.
Whether itโs adopting new software, reorganizing your workspace, or setting aside time for strategic planning, small changes can make a big difference in your overall performance.
4. Get to know new people
There’s no greater back to school feeling than not knowing people in new surroundings. But networking is crucial for business growth, and autumn presents numerous opportunities to connect with new people.
Attend local business events, join industry associations, or participate in community activities to expand your network.
Building relationships with other business owners, potential clients, and industry experts can open doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
Surrey is blessed with a vibrant business networking scene and there are dozens of events taking place across the county which are listed on the events section of Business Surrey website.
5. Promote your activities and events
If youโre doing new and exciting things or hosting events this autumn, make sure to leverage them to their fullest potential.
Use social media, email marketing, and local advertising to spread the word and attract attendees.
Hosting workshops, seminars, or community gatherings can position your business as a leader in your field and provide valuable exposure.
Engaging with your audience through events can also strengthen customer relationships and build brand loyalty.
And if youโre looking to spruce up on marketing tips, weโre hosting a free event early in October which is focused specifically on mastering marketing. Sign up here.
Free “back to school” business support
By taking these steps, you can harness the energy of the back to school season to propel your business forward.
Embrace the opportunities that autumn brings and set the stage for a successful and productive quarter. Happy autumn, and hereโs to your business success!
And, if youโre looking for some free tailored advice then our team of experts are available to talk to. Get in touch via the business support form on our website.
