6 Ways to Make the Most of a Slow Consulting Summer ☀️
How to stay useful, visible—and maybe even enjoy yourself
Hi there,
Summer is coming. Clients are heading out to their cabins, projects are winding down, and your inbox starts to echo.
And if you’re a consultant, that can feel... unsettling. You’re used to juggling back-to-back meetings and complex deliverables—so when things slow down, you might start wondering:
Am I doing enough? Should I be worried? Is this normal?
Short answer: Yes, it’s normal. And no, don’t panic.
Here’s how to make the most of the slow season without losing momentum.
Slow Season? Smart Moves for Consultants During a Quiet Summer
1. Stay Visible
You don’t need to “look busy”—you need to stay present.
Summer’s a great time to:
Post something useful on LinkedIn
Join internal discussions or knowledge-sharing calls
Check in with a client or colleague just to ask how things are going
Small signals of activity = big impact over time.
2. Learn Something That Pays Off Later
What’s that one thing you’ve been meaning to learn but never had time for?
Now’s your chance. A few smart ways to invest:
Pick a topic you wish you’d mastered for that last project
Learn a new tool that could boost your productivity
Watch recorded trainings you’ve bookmarked for months
Learning something now often saves time later when you’re deep in delivery mode again.
3. Sharpen Your CV or Internal Profile
Future projects often depend on how you’re perceived right now. Use the quieter weeks to:
Update your CV or sales deck
Review your internal bio or profile
List your recent achievements—makes future updates much easier
Trust me, your future self will thank you.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep a personal master list of your past assignments. Include project names, roles, durations, tools, and key results. This will save hours when working on public tenders, sales proposals, or performance reviews—and ensures nothing gets forgotten.
4. Support Sales
Many teams prepare for autumn sales during summer. That means:
Helping out in proposal work
Offering expertise for RFPs
Reviewing reference cases or methodology decks
Sales support is visibility, impact, and learning rolled into one.
5. Work Ahead – Even If No One’s Asking (Yet)
Use the quiet time to get ahead on things your future self will appreciate:
Prep for that fall presentation—even if it’s just a draft
Start building internal materials (e.g., playbooks, templates)
Tidy up or structure client deliverables you’ll need later
Draft documentation or proposals before the rush returns
Less pressure = better focus. Small steps now can save you hours later.
6. Recharge Intentionally
If you can take time off, take it well. Fully. Guilt-free.
But even if you’re working:
Block time for focus tasks instead of filling your calendar with noise
Take walking meetings or try new routines
Enjoy the slower pace—this is the moment to breathe before things pick up again
💡 Pro Tip: Be the person who uses slow time well. Leaders notice those who make use of the quiet season. Whether it’s knowledge sharing, sales help, or internal initiatives—you don’t need to be everywhere, but you should be somewhere.
Final Thoughts
Summer slowdown isn’t a crisis—it’s an opportunity.
To grow. To reflect. To recharge. And to show you're a consultant who makes things happen, no matter the season.
👉 What’s your favorite way to stay sharp over the summer? I'd love to hear.
See you next time,
Eetu Niemi
IT Consulting Career Hub