The summer solstice occurred on June 21 so we’ve officially kicked off the season of sun! Originally called Quintilis, July was renamed in honor of Julius Caesar for his development of the modern-day Julian calendar, which replaced the 10-month Roman calendar. So this July, when the dog days of summer hit, take a cue from the idiom “when in Rome” and try these five things to do!
Experience North Americana
Whether you’re enjoying the parades, carnivals, or outdoor fun of Canada Day or you’re shooting off fireworks and grilling-out in celebration of Independence Day, the first week of July is chock-full of fun. Canadians celebrate the anniversary of July 1, 1867, when three British colonies were joined together as one country, and Americans celebrate the anniversary of July 4, 1776, when colonials declared their independence from the British Empire. During this holiday week, don’t just celebrate outside the office; make sure you join in the celebration at the office as well. Consider having a company sponsored party to show your appreciation for all your team’s hard work during the first half of 2013. Whether it’s an ice cream sundae party or a cook-out during lunch time, taking a break from the day-to-day can help promote productivity and employee engagement.
Have Fun in the Sun, Be Safe with Some Shade
Whether your team predominately works outside or just plans to spend more time outdoors, consider what that hot sun is doing to your biggest organ – your skin! July is UV Safety Month and a great excuse to start being better about protecting your skin. Ultraviolet rays don’t just give you a weekend, souvenir-sunburn to sport on Mondays, they can also cause skin cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2009, 61,646 people were diagnosed with skin cancer in the U.S., and 9,199 people died from the ailment. Observe UV Safety Month by encouraging good practices at the office with more than just an informational flier. Handout sunscreen or cheap sunglasses with a small card with information on sun safety you can find here.
Put on a Halftime Show
July marks the second half of 2013. So as you head into the third quarter, take time to meet with your team to pause and take a “halftime” break. Schedule a meeting or a half-day event offsite to discuss what went wrong, what went right, and what needs to change from the first six months of the year. It’s important to create an atmosphere of openness when discussing some of your employees’ ideas. The objective of this time isn’t to point fingers or blame for shortcomings, but to genuinely figure out how to be more effective as a team together and as a business. If your office can afford the time away from work, consider having it at a fun location, so you can work hard and play hard too.
Be Proactive about Juggling Workloads
When school’s out, many employees go on vacation. Like a lazy sign in the window of a small-town general store, it may seem like your office has “gone fishing.” Even if your year is planned out and July is a slow month for your organization, you may still feel the effect of fewer staff members. Make sure you stay proactive by knowing who is taking off and when so you avoid falling behind this month. Encourage your team to try and finish projects prior to leaving the office. Don’t forget to take a vacation yourself, but don’t fall into the trap of many employees. A Harris Interactive poll revealed 46% of people work during their vacation. Consider encouraging a no-work policy for vacationers, so when your employees return, they’re rejuvenated and ready to hit the ground running.
Evaluate and Plan Accordingly
With six months left in 2013, get ahead of the next six by thinking about what you want to achieve in 2014. Planning out months in advance is a great way to ensure your business doesn’t fall behind and lose its competitive advantage. After you’ve had your “halftime” meeting, take everything you learned during it and figure out ways to improve your business and determine which things you can stop doing to free up time for more effective activities. You don’t have to map out everything in advance, but it’s great to have an idea of what you want to change, where you want to go, and how you’re going to get there.
What are some things you plan on doing this month? Let us know in the comments section below.
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