August Celebrations

If you’ve had the pedal to the medal, pushing hard to make sales quotas, budget projections and production schedules, we urge you to take a break for a bit of nonsense and about laughter. If you need another excuse, do it for your mother.

But we must point out that while fun and games can boost all of the above, it can be just like a sugar high, ready for a crash.

The foundation of good morale and productivity is hiring the right people. Yes – don’t hire grumps. And the people must have clear roles, responsibities, expectations and goals. And they must receive training and coaching which includes feedback, direction, support and recognition from a trusted manager or coach.

If these aren’t in place, this article is NOT for you. If they ARE in place, I encourage you to put this quote to work every now and then.

Here are August only opportunities for boosting morale and productivity. In some cases, you may feel like a fool. Your teammates may roll their eyes. But they will laugh too. And that will lighten the load, break the tension and maybe even bring people closer together. Not just today – but down the road as they think about or talk about the day that ___________ (fill in the blank).

  • Celebrate National Golf Month by taking everyone out to play par 3, pitch and putt or putt putt.
  • More excuses for ice cream!
    • August 2 is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day!
    • August 14 is National Creamsicle Day!
    • Bring in a box of ice cream sandwiches or creamsicles to the office. Deliver them desk to desk after lunch on one or more hot days. Or bring them to a staff meeting.
  • August 3 is National Watermelon Day.  Bring in watermelon for watermelon day.
  • August 9 – Make s’mores for S’mores Day.
  • August 13 is Left Handers Day.  In a staff meeting, ask everyone to write left handed in celebration of Left Handers Day.
  • August 26 is National Dog Day.  Any ideas?
  • August 31 is Trail Mix Day.  Bring some in for a staff meeting.

Warning – Before you begin, re-read paragraphs 1 and 2.

 

 

August-Only Marketing Ideas

August is already HOT HOT HOT in terms of temperature, but not necessarily in terms of revenue. See the calendar above for lots of opportunities to heat things up in the revenue department. A potential side benefit internally…a boost to morale and productivity. All good for bottom line performance.

How can you use these occasions to boost business?

If you sell any of these or related products:

  1. Set up a table at the front of the store with signage and associated products for any of the occasions listed above.
  2. Offer something special if you can – like a discount on merchandise to help people celebrate any of the occasions listed above.
  3. If you have any advertising money, run ads inviting people in to celebrate with you.
  4. Tweet about your in-store celebration and special offer if there is one.
  5. Put it on your Facebook page.
  6. Announce it to your e-mail subscriber list.

If you don’t sell any of these or related products, you can still be involved by doing things like:

  1. Give out ice cream sandwiches in celebration of Ice Cream Day.
  2. Give out watermelon slices in celebration of Watermelon Day.
  3. Give a discount or extra discount to Senior Citizens on Senior Citizens Day (August 21)
  4. Have a special Dollar Day Sale.

If you sell advertising…be sure to contact your clients with ideas on how to celebrate these June occasions. They may not accept all your ideas but they will appreciate your creativity and commitment to bringing them results. You’ll be delivering added value and setting yourself apart from the competition.

There you have it! A month of HOT marketing opportunities! Make it fun and see some serious results.

If you put any of these ideas to work this month, share your story and photos with Business Class Inc. We’ll post them for everyone to see just how your business boosted morale, productivity and maybe even the bottom line!