Summer is always a slow period for businesses. Not only do clients go on vacation, but so do company executives, leaving less time for teams to gather information and meet for big business decisions.
Now midway through the summer, I sat down with Pierpont CEO
Phil Morabito to talk about our company’s position in the summer months and what insights he has for other businesses for making the best out of this slow time.
Q. How is Pierpont’s momentum looking right now?
A. Well, we’re definitely on an upswing. It’s a busy summer and things look very promising for the next few months. On top of that, our Austin office will be moving into a gorgeous new space at the end of August.
Q. What are you doing to keep the company moving forward during the slow season?
A. We are trying to keep everyone focused on the right activities and items. It is easy to be busy, but we are busy on the right things. For example, right now we are prepping for our management team meeting in August. Since summer gives us time to breathe a little, we are formulating the focus, discussion topics and most meaningful trends to cover in our retreat. We usually wouldn’t have this amount of time to prepare for our retreat during busier seasons.
Q. How does this summer compare to previous summers?
A. I have seen summers slower than this one. So from an economic stand point, this has been a good summer.
Q. For those companies whom are experiencing a decrease in business momentum, what advice do you give them to keep the ball rolling?
A. As you would during the rest of the year, continue putting yourself out there and attend events. Yes, there are fewer events to go to, but this may be your chance to pick an event that you’ve always wanted to attend but haven’t had time to. Also, get your team together to brainstorm innovative ideas to outperform competitors for the second half of the year. And, now is a good time to start developing a list of your dream clients. Develop those targets and strategize on how you can get your foot in their door.
Q. How can companies maximize their efforts once business picks up again?
A. It’s important to be prepared from a staffing standpoint once business picks up. September and October arrive and companies look at their budgets and find unspent money. When that money starts coming your way, you have to be prepared with the right staff. So now is the time to bring people that will make an impact in your company so you’re prepared for the explosion in business. And that explosion will come especially to those companies who haven’t let up on their marketing. Your brand will be the first they remember once business comes back.
The upside of summer is that it’s a good time for reflection. But make sure you are reflecting on how to make your company better and how to handle growth once business is back in session.