May 5-11
MANAGEMENT
When did you last audit your list of key performance indicators (KPIs)? Are you tracking all that you should? Or more than you should? Do a deep dive to see what stats still make sense to see and use those metrics to adapt your business and achieve success. If you don’t have the proper software, get it!
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO
May 12-18
OPERATION
Let’s get organized. Discard one item for every year you’ve worked at your store — pieces of paper you know you’re never going to read or need, items gathering dust, old plastic goods. Been in business 17 years? That means 17 items.
May 19-25
MARKETING
Your best customers are your current customers. Identify your 200 top customers. Draft a plan to market to them in the second half of 2024.
ISSUES
There’s simply no escaping politicians this year. They are likely to come knocking on your door, showing up at the local Chamber of Commerce and dropping by your favorite drinking spot. Pay attention to the issues and introduce yourself. If they want to get or stay elected, they’ll make time to meet you: a local independent business owner.
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PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO
May 26-June 1
EVENTS
Local neighborhoods tend to come alive at this time of year. If you’re in a lifestyle center, strip mall or downtown location, take the lead in organizing a community block party.
MANAGEMENT
The sun is out, the pace of work eases, it’s the perfect time for a staff-appreciation event. Consider something physical with an air of fear — like paintball or rappelling — to promote bond-building.
June 2-8
OPERATIONS
Write a letter to someone you admire. Somewhere down the track, it could result in a valuable new relationship. Or it might just be a way of making a person who inspires you feel good. Either way, you win.
June 9-15
FURNISHINGS
Need any new office furniture? Now is the time to pick some up; showrooms are making room for new lines that come out in August.
IN-STORE
Check your air-conditioning so that people coming in from outside are comfortable, not just the people working inside. This is also a good time to check and replace the air filters in your building’s ventilation.
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June 16-22
SAFETY
Stage an advanced fire drill. Simulate a blocked exit and unconscious staff member. Critique staff performance. Include security considerations.
June 23-29
TECHNOLOGY
Take advantage of any slower periods to familiarize yourself with any new equipment or software you may have purchased. Become a master, not a slave of your technology.
PHOTO: ISTOCKPHOTO
MONTHLY PROJECT
End the Torment of Explaining
If you find yourself constantly having to explain your ideas or requests to those who work for you, then you’ve got a management problem. First, you need to determine how much time you are spending on explaining things to your staff. Use a time-tracking app on your phone to find out how much time each month. Any more than a couple of hours are too many. Domino’s Pizza founder Tom Monaghan was famous for having monthly meetings up to two hours long with individual managers to work out their goals and action plans. The meetings were incredibly detailed, but Monaghan figured he saved hundreds of hours a year getting on the same page with his staff the first time. Just to make sure those meetings are working, keep that stopwatch app handy.