By Scott Nichols

As you’re reading this article you can start to see the “light at the end of the tunnel” of the slow season.  As we head into the next season, I challenge you to investigate and plan for it. Investigate your own business and look for little changes you can make that can have a positive and immediate impact. During your investigation, look to see what you can build long-term. I know most of you reading this are thinking I do this already. I get that, but I still want to challenge you to do it. Nothing bad can happen if you investigate your business and plan for the future!

The first thing you need to do is investigate internally. Internally, I want you to look at two areas where you can improve.

The first is cutting cost. The biggest cost variable in your business is most likely your payroll. Take a look at the hours you are open compared to the sales you are receiving. Look at the previous years and see if it makes sense to stay open on Sunday’s past 3 p.m. or stay open until 10 at night. Sometimes these decisions can be difficult because you don’t want to upset customers who like to come in right before close, but as a business owner, you need to put your business first.

Click here to read the entire article in the latest issue of Smart Tan Magazine online.