Nashville has four distinct seasons, each lasting about three months. As a rule, you don’t plant annuals until after Tax Day, but this year spring came early. When one 80-day degree turned into another, the temptation to plant was irresistible. The risk felt high. If a normal March and April were on the horizon, we would experience a freeze (or several) before April 15th.
I rolled the dice and put the tender spinach and begonias in the soil, hoping Mother Nature would be gentle with them. All the risk takers got lucky. Today is April 9th and we have had one warm day after the other and the plants are thriving.
So, what does this have to do with business? What’s the metaphor? Have you experienced times when everything is lining up, you are making your numbers ahead of time and new opportunities are plentiful? If so, you’ve had a business early spring. Accounts receivable is green and people are delivering on-time and under budget.
How do we take advantage of a business early spring? The most successful business leaders with whom I’ve discussed this concept say they keep inventory on hand for early springs. Interestingly, these inventories are not always physical products to sell when demand is higher than forecasted – they’re also team-building ideas to implement when efficiencies are better than normal and there is more time and energy for a company event. They also keep a catalogue of topics to which they want their co-workers to be exposed, like books or podcasts.
One leader shared that she keeps a list in order of priority of ‘things to do when time allows.’ What I like about that is that she made the list before there was idle time. When, for example, a call gets rescheduled and an extra hour is available, she can use the time for personal growth, relaxation or connecting with a team member.
What would you consider putting in your personal or business warehouse – safe, secure and available if an early spring comes your way?
– Becky Sharpe, CEO
