Spring Cleaning

It was a ritual of my childhood. Sometime during the months of March or April (depending on how cooperative the weather was) my mother would enlist me and my siblings to assist with her annual spring housecleaning. The chore list was exhaustive including washing windows, laundering curtains, cleaning every room in the house, and doing outside landscaping chores. I must admit to disliking many of the tasks but mom had a way of making work fun.

The end of any winter season, however cold and dreary, is always a welcome respite for one’s soul. Leaders may find new energy as warmer winds and sunny skies usher in the promise of new beginnings. Seasonal activities often pick up and consumers typically hit the stores just to get out of their homes. It’s a time when new orders may be ready for production and the phone begins ringing with requests for new proposals.

In recent conversations with business leaders there is an air of cautious optimism that this incoming season will bring with it more opportunities than last year. I chose to write about spring cleaning because I’m aware that some leaders are ill-prepared for what may be emerging, good or bad. If you have been hunkered down this past winter trying to survive what has become a consistently inconsistent business malaise you just might need to do some sprucing up personally and as an organization. Chances are you have been ignoring best practices and cutting corners on training and other investments so you could weather the season. While those decisions seemed right a few months ago you may now be vulnerable as business cycles change.

A good spring housecleaning plan for your business might include remodeling the office or storefront, finding new ways to engage employees, reaching out to current and past customers, and spending time on leadership development or staff training. It’s likely some of your internal processes need tweaking or a major overhaul. Perhaps your entire team needs a refresher in the key elements of customer service. Might your own goals and personal development require some added attention and renewed passion?

Like my annual housecleaning rituals, some of these activities won’t be much fun. Employees may not fully embrace the fresh ideas and new approaches that will be required to succeed. As a leader you might not have the discipline or courage to acknowledge places where your performance is still stuck in the throes of winter’s doldrums. But that’s no excuse! It’s time to grab that broom, pick up that pail and sponge, and don those overalls. Spring is just around the corner. Will you be ready to make a new beginning?