What SMB Owners Should Be Doing in June - By Mike Sweeney, Sweeney Growth Partners
June marks the halfway point of the calendar year and a natural time for small- and medium-sized business (SMB) owners to pause, take stock, and realign their efforts to finish the year strong. If you haven’t already, now is the moment to run through a quick “mid-year checklist” across finance, marketing, operations, and people. Here’s what every SMB owner should be doing this month:
1. Perform a Mid-Year Financial Review
- Assess Year-to-Date Performance
Compare actual revenue, gross margin, and net profit against your budget and forecast. Identify any line items that are off-track (whether ahead or behind) and diagnose the root cause seasonal shifts, pricing pressures, or rising input costs. - Refine Your Cash-Flow Plan
Update your 12-month cash-flow projection. If receivables are stretching out, tighten credit terms or offer early-pay discounts. If payables are piling up, negotiate extended terms with vendors or consider short-term financing. - Revisit Pricing & Profitability
Examine your product or service mix. Are your highest-margin offerings getting enough attention? Should you adjust pricing on low-volume, high-cost items? A small price increase now can deliver a meaningful boost to the bottom line.
2. Refresh Your Marketing & Sales Strategy
- Audit Your Lead Pipeline
How many qualified leads do you need each month to hit your year-end goal? Are your digital campaigns; Google Ads, LinkedIn outreach, email nurture delivering the right volume and quality? Reallocate ad spend toward the highest-ROI channels. - Plan a Summer Promotion
June is the perfect time to launch a “mid-year special.” Package your services in a limited-time bundle, offer value-added add-ons, or run a referral incentive. Promote it across your website, social channels, and client newsletter. - Reengage Dormant Clients
Identify customers who haven’t purchased in six months or more. Send a personalized check-in email or offer a complimentary audit or consult. Often, a simple “We miss you” message rekindles relationships.
3. Optimize Operations & Systems
- Streamline Your Processes
Walk through your key workflows from lead intake to order fulfillment and flag any bottlenecks. Can you eliminate redundant steps? Introduce automation (e.g., simple CRM triggers, invoicing software)? Even small gains compound over time. - Review Vendor Contracts
As contracts come up for renewal, benchmark rates against competitors. Consider bundling services for volume discounts, or consolidate vendors to simplify invoicing and support. - Invest in Technology Upgrades
If you’ve been postponing that cloud migration or ERP module rollout, use June’s slower weeks to implement and train. A well-timed technology lift in mid-year sets you up for efficiency gains in Q3 and Q4.
4. Invest in Your Team & Culture
- Conduct “Stay” Interviews
Rather than waiting for exit interviews, meet one-on-one with your high-performers to understand what’s working and what’s holding them back. Proactive “stay” conversations build engagement and reduce turnover. - Offer Mid-Year Training
Launch a short workshop or e-learning series on sales skills, customer service, or leadership. Target topics that address existing performance gaps and demonstrate your commitment to employee growth. - Plan a Team-Building Event
A casual summer outing whether it’s a virtual happy hour, local picnic, or half-day retreat can reignite morale, strengthen bonds, and remind everyone of the “why” behind your mission.
5. Drill Deep on Q3 & Q4 Planning
- Validate Your Annual Goals
With six months behind you, some stretch goals may now be unrealistic or overly conservative. Adjust targets, budgets, and resource allocations where needed. - Identify Key Initiatives
Pinpoint the three most impactful projects for the rest of the year. Whether it’s launching a new product line, opening a satellite office, or pursuing strategic partnerships, commit to a clear timeline and accountability framework. - Build a Contingency Plan
Evaluate potential risks in supply-chain disruptions, regulatory changes, major customer attrition and outline responsive action plans. Flexibility and preparedness minimize surprises.
Take Action Now
By dedicating just a few hours in June to this mid-year tune-up, you’ll regain clarity on where you stand and chart a precise course for the months ahead. If you’d like a structured, data-driven approach to your mid-year review or an external perspective on your growth roadmap let’s talk.
👉 Book your free 30-minute Growth Strategy Call with Mike Sweeney today and walk away with three actionable steps to accelerate revenue, optimize operations, and inspire your team.
About the author:
Mike Sweeney is the founder of Sweeney Growth Partners, a business support organization (BSO) dedicated to helping small-medium business owners achieve profitable growth through strategic planning, operational excellence, and leadership development. With over 25 years in business development, sales distribution, and operations management, Mick brings both deep industry experience and a hands-on approach to every engagement.
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