It's mid-August and many business executives are out of the office sipping lemonade by the poolside or hitting the greens to improve their swing. "This quiet period before Labor Day is the perfect time to catch up on all the tasks that will make your business be especially productive in the Fall," says Steven Hastert, president of Sales Star Networks. "It's the perfect time to see if a new technology like Twitter can help your business, or create a marketing strategy for the Fall."

Here are 7 Ways to Beat the Summer Doldrums.

1. Re-Organize and Refresh. The summer months are a great chance to clean out your desk, organize files, or apply a fresh coat of paint to your office. This not only helps keep your office clean, but helps keep your mind refreshed as well. When organizing your paperwork, follow these guidelines: If you don’t use the file on a weekly basis, put it in a filing cabinet away from your desk.
   
2. Document Shredding. Schedule an office document shredding day to destroy old documents. Shred Nations can easily help you find a local shredding service. If you must keep the documents but you're running out of space, a document imaging service can convert your paper docs into easily-manageable electronic files. And clean up isn't restricted to just physical documents — deleting old emails and programs you no longer use can help boost your PC's performance.
   
3. Review Accounting Procedures. Like many businesses, accounting firms are often slower during the summer months. This might be the perfect time to schedule a sit down with your accountant and get their perspective on your business. Take the time to review financials, project cash flow, and revisit accounting procedures. If you don't have an accountant or are looking for new input, visit the Accounting Aisle for help.
   
4. Make Customer Service Calls. Many businesses make their purchasing decisions in the Fall and early Winter months. Use the time now to get reacquainted with your customers, remind them of your businesses capablities, even if they're not working with you at the time.
   
5. Plan new Marketing Initiatives. Use this time to brainstorm new marketing initiatives including email offers, newsletters, and direct mail campaigns to generate interest in your products and services for when customers are ready to buy.
   
6. Plan an Employee Picnic. There is nothing more important to your business success than your employees. Use the summer months as a time to show your appreciation. Consider a company picnic or taking your employees and their families to a local amusement park. It's important to build morale and show your appreciation for their hard work.
   
7. Take Time Off. If business is slow because customers are taking vacation time, why not follow suit? After working hard all year to make your business flourish, relax and spend time with friends and family. Besides, abandoning your Blackberry and laptop for a while can help recharge your batteries and make you more productive when you return to work.