PI Business is slow: What to do?

In every business there are hills and valley's. As a PI, you probably have experienced weeks of non-stop work, followed by periods of little to do. Have a plan for when business is slow: 

• Take the opportunity to clean-up files, organize your office, and email - Slow times allow you to focus on the business of doing business. Sort and organize your bills for taxes, clear out your inbox, filing important emails in the right places, and work on those tasks that you didn't have the time for when business was booming. Perform equipment maintenance. This puts you ahead of the game for when business picks up. 
• Work on marketing - Get involved in local activities to promote your business, work on your marketing by calling clients to check-in, introduce yourself to potential new clients, and work on your advertising campaigns. Remember that marketing is a long-term investment--spend some time now to grow later!
• Take some time for yourself - This is a great time to catch-up on "me-time". Recharge your internal batteries. Catch-up on your training, read or research new investigative techniques, or work on your leisure time with friends and family. Got a fishing pole? Use it for a day or two. 
• Invest in your employees - It's a great opportunity to develop your employees. 
  

Slow business times provide you with an opportunity to grow your business, streamline it for efficiency, while allowing you some time to re-energize yourself. Take advantage of the valleys in business and remind yourself that you are in it for the long haul.