Why Summer Is the Smartest Time to Forecast for Fall
- Karie Huber
- Jun 1
- 2 min read
Summer is quiet... until it isn’t
If you're a CEO leading a growing service-based business, you know summer can feel like a calm before the storm. But behind the scenes? Fall is when the pressure builds—project deadlines tighten, Q4 goals loom large, and your team’s bandwidth shrinks with holidays and PTO.
That’s why now—when your calendar has a little breathing room—is the ideal time to start your fall business forecasting.
Planning ahead isn’t just smart. It’s leadership.
Fall business forecasting puts you back in control
Forecasting isn’t about predicting the future with 100% accuracy—it’s about equipping yourself with the insight to lead it.
By taking the time to project revenue, expenses, and cash flow now, you give yourself space to:
Make hiring decisions with confidence
Plan for upcoming tax payments or quarterly bonuses
Budget for investments like systems upgrades or strategic support
Instead of reacting to problems in real-time, forecasting lets you proactively build a path forward.
What to include in your forecast
For a CEO, a helpful forecast does more than track income and expenses. It creates clarity in the areas that move your business forward.
Make sure your fall forecast includes:
Revenue Projections: What’s expected to close, and when? (Use your CRM or past seasonality as a guide.)
Payroll + Team Costs: Account for raises, bonuses, benefits, and potential new hires.
Operating Expenses: Think software renewals, Q4 marketing pushes, event sponsorships, or seasonal supplies.
Debt or Large Payments: Credit card balances, LOCs, tax bills, or one-time vendor payments.
Owner Pay + Profit: Don’t forget to include yourself in the picture. Forecasting helps you protect your earnings too.
If your business has grown, your forecasting needs have grown too. A spreadsheet from last year won’t cut it anymore—and that’s okay. This is your opportunity to build smarter systems.
Give your team the clarity they need, too
Fall isn’t just busy for you—it’s busy for your team. When your finances are unclear, your team feels it in the form of mixed signals, reactive leadership, and unspoken stress.
But when you have a clear financial forecast in hand:
You communicate with more confidence
You assign priorities that align with capacity
You protect your team’s time just as intentionally as you protect your revenue
Strong forecasting strengthens leadership from the top down.
You don’t have to wait for a crisis to make a change
The best time to plan was yesterday.
The second best time? Right now.
Whether you’re preparing for an influx of projects, debating a team expansion, or just want to stop holding your breath when payments run late—fall business forecasting is your secret weapon.
You’ve worked hard to build your business. Let’s build a system that supports it.
Ready to simplify your financial management?
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