Spring Clean Your Business in 3 Days

If spring cleaning has you thinking about scrubbing baseboards, mulching garden beds, and generally being covered in sweat and dust and grime, then I have good news!

You can spring clean your business before the weekend and household to-do list come calling. Today I’m sharing 6 easy tasks to get your business cleaned up. Let’s do this!

Day 1 – (i.e. today. Don’t over think this, don’t plan for 3 weeks out when you have more time. Just work today.)

Task #1 – Check in with any team members. It’s been a long four months and lots has changed since we were “so pumped about 2017!” Email or call your team members today and ask for a simple check-in, not on any project or task or “justify your existence” but “how are you doing?”

Here’s a template for you:

“Hi (name), when you have a few minutes I’d like to touch base via email/phone and hear how things are going for you. Not related to any project or task specifically, just how you are doing. If there’s anything on your mind or concerns you have, know that you have my ear anytime. I really appreciate all the work you do and am honored to have you as part of the team. (Signoff)”

Task #2 – Empty your drafts. Not just your email drafts but if you keep draft social media posts on your phone clear those out as well. Hint: if it’s over 3 months old you probably need to start fresh anyway, content does get stale after a time.

Day 2

Task #3 – Follow up on payments. If you have a list of receivables (i.e. income you’ve invoiced and are expecting) then the next step is to follow up with any that are past due. Here’s a script:

“Hi (name), I hope you’re having a great day. I’m writing to check in on invoice #___ which we sent to you on (date) for the work _______. If you didn’t receive the invoice, I’ve attached a copy to this email / here is the link again to view it. I’m following up to get an estimated payment date. Thank you for your help! (Signature)”

Now – if you have ZERO late payments, then your assignment is to email your current clients and say thank you. Again a script:

“Hi (name), I wanted to take a minute out of my day to say a big ‘thank you’ for being such a great client and choosing to work with (our company). I noticed that your invoices are always paid on time and our team has nothing but positive things to say about your professionalism. We’re honored to get the chance to work on your project. (Signature).

Task #4 – Schedule time off. I know, I know, summer is arriving soon and you’ll figure it out then. But no. Take the time today to decide your vacation days, seasonal hours (if you’re taking Fridays off, for example) and holidays your company will observe. When you’re done, be sure to add these to your own calendar, any company calendar, and share with your team.

Day 3

Task #5 – Let some clients go. If you completed Task #3 then you might have realized that some of your clients are not awesome, even if they’re paying their invoices. Now may be the right time to cut them loose to make space for awesome, new clients.

Here’s a resource for determining if your clients fall in the ‘not totally awesome’ category.

Task #6 – Outsource something. Just like our housework, there comes a time when you realize you’re not the kind of homeowner who enjoys mowing the lawn, clearing gutters, or changing your car’s oil. In your business there’s likely a task that has been hanging around on your mental to do list for far too long, whether it’s choosing a new office space, creating a sales team, or updating your website. Take the first steps today to outsource that job to a professional so you can move on.

Tasks done? Take some time to relax and celebrate. Every business needs a clean up now and then, and yours is no exception.