Businesses need Spring Cleaning Too
As the temperature begins to warm up and the trees and flowers begin to bloom, we tend to feel a sense of leaving winter behind. Many of us Spring Clean our homes. In fact, 78% of Americans tackle Spring Cleaning in their homes according to a marketing research survey done by Ipsos in 2022. I know as a business owner I feel the same about my business. Winter brings a time of dull feeling and just getting through each day. Spring puts that “spring” back in my step. I’m excited again to get my business growing and thriving.
Here are a few things you can do as a business owner to refresh for the upcoming months.
1. Your marketing plan . Sometimes we put our marketing on autopilot, or you have a third-party helping you out. It’s time to get a meeting with them. Evaluate what is working and what isn’t. Look at new promotions, make updates to your website, or maybe start a new social media account to help grow your business. Gather your ideas, make a plan, and execute.
2. Your inbox. This one is a tough one for me. I currently have over 1000 emails flagged for follow up. Don’t worry these aren’t client service emails. There are things I wanted to read, or thought could help my business when evaluating customer service practices, client meetings, or overall business practices. Unfortunately, I never got to them. Some are over three years old. Take the time to clear out the unneeded messages. Make this easy and select as many as you can for a mass delete or archive. Seeing that big number drop can really provide a boost of accomplishment.
3. Equipment. Go through your equipment list. Determine where you need maintenance or potentially replacements. It helps to write these things down and update the list as you make changes. Many businesses rely on their equipment to make their product. Any downtime to a baker’s ovens can really hurt, for example. While you are taking inventory,get rid of the old printers and computer monitors that are sitting in the closet. If they have been in the closet for more than two months, chances are you won’t use them again. Don’t be a hoarder of office supplies.
4. Review your business insurance. Like our marketing we tend to let our insurance get stale. If we don’t use it, we just keep paying the bill. Set a meeting with your insurance agent. Here at Mansfield Insurance Agency we like to meet with our clients at least once a year. New equipment, new business practices, and even new social media accounts can be reasons to update coverage. There have been several advances in Cyber Security Insurance products. Property and Auto coverage continues to rise in premium because risk continues to increase for business owners.
Ultimately, as a business owner it pays to be intentional. Springtime is a great time to make a plan, commit to it, stay positive, and reap the rewards. You’ll look back as next winter arrives thankful that you made a plan.
Matthew Hatoway is a second-generation owner of Hatoway Insurance Partners and Mansfield Insurance Agency. Throughout Matt’s career he has made client relationships his main priority. He works with families and small businesses to protect the most important assets by listening, caring for his clients like family, and providing the best protection.
