If it seems the lazy days of summer are impacting your business’s bottom-line, have no fear and gear-up for fall profits.

It is most certainly true that more people travel (away from hot, steamy South Florida) during June, July and the early part of August. You may have noticed the networking events you regularly attend have decreased participation as the months pass; the phone rings a bit softer and your office door swings to and fro a little less often than you‘d like.

If you’re crunching your numbers and ringing your hands because of the summer slow period…STOP! Believe it or not, now is the time for you to go to those networking meetings, call on active clients for lunch or simply check on any business relationships that have fallen off. Using slow periods of production wisely may lead to an exponential increase in new accounts in only a short amount of time. So, resting on your laurels could be a design for disaster; instead make summer sizzle by being visible to potential profits.

Here are the top ten tips for growing your business profits through networking during summer’s slow season:

1. Invite people to sporting events. It’s a great way to get to know someone in a casual environment.
2. If you are a golfer, then invite some of your business acquaintances to golf with you. Playing a four-hour or more round is a good way to get to know someone very well.
3. Hone in on your personal branding techniques. Take the time to assess your current personal branding strategies and explore new strategies as well.
4. Increase your social media presence. Spend more time with tools such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook so you can continue to stay on top of technology and your brand.
5. Host your own happy hours or BBQs. Take advantage of the nice summer weather to bring your network together.
6. Partner with synergistic businesses for summer specials.
7. Send out teasers for fall programs.
8. Make introductions between people in your network. A great way to stay at the forefront of someone’s mind is to facilitate introductions between like-minded people.
9. Read business books and magazines. Catch up on your reading during the summer, which will give you talking points with other professionals.
10. Visit referral and networking groups you don’t usually have time for. With fewer people in the room, you will have a chance to connect at a more personal level with those you meet. Introductions and time for commercials may be extended with fewer attendees.

The Gay and Lesbian Business Exchange [GLBX], a council of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, is Broward County’s premier support for Gay- and Lesbian-owned businesses as well as gay-friendly businesses. We continually support the quick-changing environment of the economy by sharing similar strategies for business growth throughout the seasons at GLBX Referral Advantage Group. For more information, please contact Rene Cantu, Director of Business Development of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 954-462-7498) or Chad Thilborger, GLBX Council Chair, (954-793-7275).