May 1-5
STRATEGY Find a category of your business you want to improve — such as grooming, training or pet photography — and draft an action plan to start making it happen.
STAFF Make sure that all your employees get their summer vacation requests in on time. And while you’re working on a roster, book some time off for yourself.
May 8-12
FINANCES Analyze every contract — from the company that supplies the water cooler to your neighborhood banker — and look for places where you can curb costs. Lease coming up? Keep an eye on traffic. It’s a good figure to wield in negotiations with your landlord.
May 15-19
MANAGEMENT Work on your company’s organizational chart. Try creating it from the bottom up — with you at the bottom and your customers at the top.
May 22-26
MOTIVATION Create a “sunshine file.” This is where you collect thank-you notes, photos, awards. When things get tough and you’re feeling down, you’ll be glad you have this.
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MARKETING Work that word-of-mouth. How about putting a friendly little sign near your exit that says something like, “Don’t forget to tell your friends about us!”
May 29-June 2
INTERNET Check your website. Is your telephone number easy to find?
FURNISHINGS Need any new office furniture? Now is a good time to pick some up — showrooms are making room for new lines being released in August.
June 5-9
STORE Check your A/C. Turn it on full-blast and stand in front of it for one minute. If icicles form in your nose, that means your coolant is in good shape and your customers will find your business a comfortable refuge during the sweltering months ahead. If not, call to have your air conditioner serviced.
SAFETY Inspect fire exits and make sure they are working and clear of obstructions. Do a monthly test of alarm system and panic buttons.
June 12-16
MARKETING Doing anything to mark Father’s Day this Sunday? In this month’s Calendar, we suggest a great Father’s Day gift for dog-lovers.
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STAFF Study 401(k) program for yourself and your employees. (One of the best ways around to keep staff long-term.)
June 19-23
MARKETING Print new business cards with a special introductory discount offer on them.
June 26-30
STORE Smell your store today. You heard us … just stand in the middle of your store and take a big, long sniff. What is your nose telling you?
TRAINING One way to improve the sales skills of both yourself and your staff? Sign up for Toastmasters International.
This article originally appeared in the May-June 2017 edition of PETS+.
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