The birds are out and flowers are starting to bloom—spring is a time for new beginnings. Just as we are drawn to freshen our homes to make way for the next chapter, spring cleaning can be a time to reflect and reassess in your business as well.
Here are a few things to look at as you rid the old and bring in the new.
Processes & operations
It’s natural to start by looking at what has been working for your company and how you can improve efficiency on a day-to-day basis. “We use the extra time to really examine our processes and paperwork,” explains Kevin Dennis of Fantasy Sound Event Services. “We make sure that everything in our SOPs is still working and we look at what we can change. It’s a time to tackle bigger projects that get pushed to the side (such as photos on the website and freshening up our social media presence).”
Team morale
With peak wedding season around the corner, now is the time to instill an extra kick of motivation in your team and assess how to make this year better than the last. “Spring is generally when we give performance evaluations to our employees, often with an emphasis on the items that can boost morale,” shares Keith Phillips of Classic Photographers. “As we approach peak season, we want everyone to be fully onboard, excited, and motivated.”
Inclusivity
As society continues to move toward a more inclusive environment, so too should your business. “Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to audit all of your documents and contracts to make sure you are using gender-neutral language,” says Brittny Drye of Love Inc. “It’s also a great time to update your website galleries and client testimonials—and, if you have any LGBTQ+ ones, be sure to include those so you can show your equality-mindedness!”
Accounting
Of course, budgeting plays a big role in ramping up for the busy season so it’s worth taking some time to analyze your input and output from the year prior. “During this time of year, I look at the info from the year before and really dig into what worked and what didn’t in terms of revenue and expenses,” says Emily Sullivan of Emily Sullivan Events. “I also evaluate if our current packages are bringing in the right amount of inquiries. The numbers don’t lie, so that’s the first step.”
Spring cleaning looks different for everyone, but it should go hand-in-hand with some deep contemplation about how successful the company has been, both internally and externally. Katie Easley of Kate Ryan Design shares, “I like to get the pulse of my employees to get a better understanding of what needs to be adjusted on the ground level. My employees are a goldmine of insight. I recognize that the way I did things five years ago might not be the best way anymore. Using your team to evaluate your business is one of the most effective ways to make the right changes.”
However, spring cleaning can often dig up some difficult conversations based on subpar performance and mistakes made in the past. “Sometimes, evaluating your processes and taking suggestions from others is difficult,” Easley cautions. “It can be hard to hear what’s wrong with your company. However, it’s always worth listening and addressing because, at the end of the day, it will make your business better. Plus, your employees will be more empowered if they feel like they’ve been heard.”
Whether it’s time for a physical declutter of the office or a system overhaul to maximize efficiency, take this opportunity to address those things that need to be changed before they’re put on a backburner for yet another busy season.
