Just as in the desert, June is typically the time of year when businesses go through some type of changes.  People and businesses tend to purchase differently at different times of the year.  For example, if you are in retail, your shelves would have shifted from spring items to summer items, such as goggles.  If you are in the hotel business, you are probably looking at events that might occur in your city that could impact rack rates.  Nonetheless, as business leaders, we should be aware that change has begun and we should be preparing for it. One aspect of the change that isn’t always embraced by business-to-business companies is the idea that you may have different target markets dependent on the time of year.  For example, if you are a bookkeeper, your tax accounting season should be winding down and you’re out looking for new business.  During the fall months, it was pretty easy to look to other professional service firms; they are typically ramping up for fall and winter business.  During the summer, however, your business is probably going to come from industries with a bit more liquidity – cash available – to purchase your service. Schools and churches tend to have fewer, if any, programs available for students during the summer months.  However, the buildings that they own have what is known as “excess capacity.”  Is there a market for these facilities, wherein the income would exceed the cost of opening them?  What would it take to bring in additional revenues, simply by changing your perspective on the facilities? While consumers may shift their dollars to other interests, as business leaders, it is our responsibility to help them fulfill whatever goals they have.  At times, “they have not because they ask not,” meaning that they don’t know that certain offerings are available because it hadn’t been available at another time.  Other times, they simply need to think differently.  While they might typically make certain buying decisions at a certain time of year, you may present a compelling reason for them to purchase “out of season” to take advantage of your own excess capacity. Business doesn’t happen most of the year…it happens all year round.  Be extraordinary.  Maintain a desert mindset. Rick Meekins is the Managing Consultant at Aepiphanni, a Business Consultancy that provides Management Consulting, Implementation and Managed Services to business leaders and entrepreneurs seeking to improve or expand operations. We are the trusted advisor for business leaders who are seeking forward-thinking solutions to help them plan for and navigate through the challenges of business growth. Our entrepreneurial multidisciplinary team works with clients to develop differentiating solutions and provide direction focused on lasting, strategic results.  We exist to help our clients CREATE | DESIGN | BUILD extraordinary businesses. We would love to hear from you.  Please share your thoughts and comments below. If you are seeking advice on how to grow your business, streamline systems and processes, implement software or overcoming challenges to growth, please contact us, directly or submit a request for a complimentary Coffee & a Consult to learn how we can help you CREATE | DESIGN | BUILD an extraordinary company.