Struggled in Q2? Start Q3 on a Better Foot With 9 Recovery Tactics
If Q2 didn’t go as planned, you’re not alone. Many teams hit a mid-year slump, and recovering in Q3 requires more than just extra effort.
“With team members on vacation and numerous off-site events, productivity can suffer just as strategic planning for the next year ramps up,” said Kelly Hopping, Chief Marketing Officer at Demandbase. “This compressed timeline leaves little room for error, but it’s also a chance to refocus your team and prepare for a strong year-end.”
The pressure is real, but so is the opportunity. These recovery tactics can help you reset your strategy and move into the second half with more focus, alignment, and momentum.
1. Audit Q2’s Execution
If Q2 underperformed, there’s more to uncover than just missed numbers. Look deeper. Did a campaign launch late? Did teams hit internal roadblocks? Were goals misaligned from the start? Results only tell part of the story — execution reveals what really went wrong.
“Post-mortems should focus less on the scoreboard and more on how the game was played,” suggested Shaunak Amin, CEO and Co-Founder of Stadium, a company that offers peer to peer recognition software. “Poor processes hide behind bad outcomes. If you only look at the metrics, you’ll miss the opportunity to fix what’s truly broken.”
Start with a quick ops review. What got delayed, who was blocked, where approvals lagged, and what didn’t launch? Ask your team what felt slow or frustrating. Fixing those gaps now can save time (and headaches) all quarter long.
2. Adjust Q3 Goals
Coming off a tough quarter, your goals might need a reality check. If you’re short on headcount, if your pipeline has shifted, or if a big project has stalled, factor those things into your plans before setting new numbers. Ambitious doesn’t have to mean unrealistic.
“Planning Q3 like Q2 never happened is one of the fastest ways to burn out your team,” shared Jaedon Khubani, VP of Business Development at Copper Fit, a company that specializes in compression socks. “You’re not just chasing revenue but managing people, resources, and market conditions.”
Pull in department leads and map out what’s doable with the team and tools you have today. After that, adjust your targets. It’s better to meet a real goal than scramble after one built on outdated assumptions.
3. Restructure Team Focus
After a messy quarter, too much noise can kill momentum. Your team doesn’t need more ideas — they need a clear lane to run in. Pick one high-impact priority and make that the center of your Q3 strategy.
“When people are recovering from a setback, clarity can be the best motivator,” explained Natalia Kuvelas, Marketing Manager of Custom Goods. “Trying to do everything at once usually means nothing gets done well, especially after a dip in performance.”
Cut or pause anything that’s not mission-critical. Also, make sure every team knows how their work connects to the core initiative. Keep your goals visible, your feedback flowing, and distractions to a minimum. Focus wins quarters!
4. Pause or Cut What’s Not Contributing
When things are tight, holding on to low-impact tools and projects can slow you down. Now’s the time to be brutally honest about what’s working and what’s not. If it doesn’t help you make money or keep customers, it’s a distraction.
“Every recurring expense should earn its place,” expressed Daley Meistrell, Head of Ecommerce at Dose, a company that offers liver supplements. “Many teams are paying for software they barely use or chasing projects that looked good on paper but never moved the needle.”
Start with a clean spreadsheet. List every platform, vendor, and internal project, and label each by revenue impact, retention impact, or both. Anything that doesn’t land in one of those buckets goes on pause or gets renegotiated.
5. Launch a Targeted, ROI-Driven Campaign
Photo Source: Adobe Stock
You don’t need a massive campaign to get things moving. Instead, just pick one product or offer that already has a little traction and build something sharp around it. Think urgency, tight messaging, and a short window to act.
“When momentum stalls, focus on small wins you can actually control,” advised Emily Greenfield, Director of Ecommerce at Mac Duggal, a company that specializes in cocktail dresses. “A well-timed campaign that hits the right audience with the right offer can reset the tone for your entire quarter.”
Choose a proven offer, set a deadline, and pick one or two channels where you’ve seen solid engagement. Keep the scope narrow, the value clear, and the messaging simple. Execution speed matters more than scale here.
6. Reengage Existing Customers With Value-Add Touchpoints
You’ve already earned their trust — don’t wait until Q4 to show up again. Reach out to your current customers with something useful, like a product update, early access, exclusive tips, or a check-in without a catch.
“Most businesses are so focused on chasing new leads that they forget how powerful their current relationships can be,” added Mathe Mosny, CEO of Kismet Pets, a company known for its high protein dog food. “Reaching out with value, not just offers, strengthens your connections and drives long-term growth.”
Segment your top accounts and set a calendar of touchpoints for Q3. Make it personal, relevant, and helpful. The more they hear from you now, the more likely they are to stay engaged when end-of-year decisions roll around.
7. Refine Cash Flow Projections for a Tight Window
Revenue slumps are one thing, but unexpected cash gaps are another. After a shaky Q2, visibility into what’s coming in and going out becomes non-negotiable. After all, you can’t fix what you can’t forecast.
“Cash flow stress doesn’t usually come from a lack of money. Rather, it comes from a lack of planning,” highlighted Griff Duncan, Digital Marketing Manager of CON-CRĒT, a company that specializes in creatine pills. “When teams wait until there’s a problem to check the numbers, it’s often too late to course-correct.”
Build a rolling eight- to 12-week forecast. Check payment terms, follow up on overdue invoices, and flag any liabilities that could hit in Q3. Even a simple weekly dashboard can give you the heads-up you need to act early.
8. Rebuild Cross-Functional Accountability
When things go off track, finger-pointing often follows. If Q2 exposed gaps between departments — or no one knew who owned what — now’s the time to tighten things up and clarify roles.
“Silos kill momentum,” underscored Kim Wileman, Founder and CEO of No Makeup Makeup. “If marketing’s waiting on sales, or finance isn’t looped into ops changes, small issues spiral fast.”
Set a weekly rhythm for cross-functional syncs. Keep them short, focused, and tied to shared goals. Everyone should know what they’re responsible for and what other teams need to move forward.
9. Talk Openly About the Reset
Silence after a miss creates anxiety. Your team, your partners, your customers — they all need to hear from you. Even if the plan is still in progress, show that there is one.
“Transparency after a tough quarter builds confidence,” concluded Greg Hannley, Founder and CEO of Soba Mesa, a company that offers the drug rehab Arizona depends on. “People don’t expect perfection. They want clarity, direction, and honesty about where things stand.”
Hold a short Q3 kickoff with your team. Share the new focus, the goals, and what success looks like. If you need to reset expectations with clients or investors, be proactive. A clear message now keeps everyone aligned as you move forward.
How To Keep Q3 on Track
Resetting after Q2 is critical, but real success comes from staying on track once Q3 is underway.
Here’s how to maintain momentum and build real velocity as the quarter progresses:
Track Metrics in Real Time
It’s easy to assume everything’s going fine — until you realize you’re two weeks behind and didn’t catch an issue in time. If Q3 is back on track, don’t take your eye off the dashboard. Lagging reports can hide early issues that can quickly go downhill.
Set up weekly reviews for key indicators like lead flow, project velocity, or churn signals. Use short team huddles, live dashboards, or auto-sent summaries — whatever helps you spot slippage before it’s too late.
Plan for a Mid-Quarter Gut Check
Even if Q3 starts strong, things can drift. Delays happen, priorities shift, and teams get pulled in new directions. A scheduled midpoint check-in forces everyone to pause, recalibrate, and make sure the back half of the quarter stays focused.
“Mid-quarter reviews create a line in the sand,” pointed out Brandon Adcock, Co-Founder and CEO of Nugenix, a company known for its Instaflex Advanced joint supplement. “It gives teams a chance to ask: Are we actually on track, or just hoping we are?”
Book a quick, cross-functional review halfway through Q3. Revisit your goals, surface any blockers, and reassign support as needed. You don’t need a full post-mortem, but you do need a clear look at what’s working and where things are wobbling.
Keep Customers in the Loop
Your team’s executing well, and the numbers are looking up, but don’t lose sight of who this is all for. Customers want to see how you’re improving, evolving, or investing in their success. Staying visible and engaged keeps the momentum going on their end, too.
Send light updates like a product roadmap preview, a behind-the-scenes look, or a quick note about a new feature. These touchpoints can build goodwill and reinforce why they chose you in the first place.
Ready To Build More Than Just a Comeback?
And there you have it: nine recovery tactics to help you bounce back from a rocky Q2, plus a few key strategies to keep Q3 running smoothly once you’ve found your footing. Getting things back on track is a win, but maintaining that momentum is what sets strong teams apart.
“Delivering sustained growth is one of the hardest things a company can do,” stated Paul Blase, Principal at PwC U.S. “A brilliant idea or product innovation can create a burst of episodic growth, but few companies demonstrate growth year in and year out.”
Fortunately, sustained growth doesn’t have to be a mystery. With clear priorities, honest check-ins, and tight execution, you can turn a rough quarter into a stronger, smarter second half — and set the stage for a high-impact Q4.