What are your favorite ways to keep growing your business even during the holiday season? I would love to hear your ideas and success stories…just click on the Comment link and post them on the blog!

TEN GREAT WAYS TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS, EVEN DURING THE BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON

Even during this busy holiday time of year, there are many ways to grow your business. Here are ten of my favorites. Some will generate more business now. Some of the ideas will position your business for growth in the new year. Which of these ideas will you choose to help your business grow?

1. Plan ahead to take some time to enjoy the season. Take some time off from work, if possible, whether just an afternoon or a week or more. By deciding this now, you can more easily focus your attention on work until your time off. Even on days when you are working, you can notice and appreciate aspects of the season that you especially enjoy such as the weather, the music, and favorite holiday foods.

2. Identify three things that would help you feel that you have truly celebrated this holiday season. Choose only three thinkgs and be sure that they are within your control. This is especially important if you must work during most of the holiday season. Don’t fall into the trap of having unrealistically big expectations of the holidays.

3. Identify three key things in your business that you would like to complete before the end of the year. Consider something in the area of marketing, something in the area of your business systems, and something in one of your key strategic projects. Resist the temptation to try to squeeze too much into a time of year that is often very busy already.

4. Identify what needs to be cleaned up, cleared out, given away, thrown away, completed, or declared complete. This could be files, clutter, equipment, furniture, tools, products, or projects. Even a small amount of time on these actions will free up energy for your new year. Make space in your business environment for new clients, projects, goals, and opportunities in the new year.

5. Make a list of ten highlights of this year, both personal and professional. Are any of these things that you will want to continue into the new year, too? Reflecting on the positive aspects of your year helps you to complete the year mentally and emotionally and to start the new year on an upbeat note.

6. Have a seasonal or year-end sale or a special promotion. Any of your products or services that could be given as a gift are candidates for a special promotion to stimulate extra sales now. Anything that you want to clear out or discontinue or replace with a new version are also good candidates for sales. You can also offer a special multi-month or annual price for customers willing to purchase a larger quantity at one time. People love to get a special discount and may be willing to make a purchase now that they might otherwise defer until the new year.

7. Schedule a half day and do some planning for the future. Let yourself dream about where you would like your business to be in one year, three years, and beyond. Then translate your vision into a several specific goals for the new year. You may also want to choose a theme or a broad intention for the year. What are two or three action you can take early in January to make progress toward your vision? Schedule a strategy session with your coach in December or early January to accelerate your achievement of your vision and goals.

8. Thank your customers for their business this year. You can send cards, give gifts, make phone calls, send letters, buy coffee or a meal, or perhaps a combination of several of these strategies. Express your appreciation to your employees, subcontractors, vendors, suppliers, referral sources, and colleagues too.

9. Meet with your accountant for a year-end planning session. Ask for his or her advice about year-end actions that you can take now. Discuss your goals and dreams for your business. If they recommend it, consider making any year-end purchases or investments that may offer tax benefits to you, such as equipment, supplies, software, or other business expenses.

10. Celebrate the end of the year in some way. Have a dinner out, order lunch in for the team, or just make a toast with your closest friends or family members. Attending business and social events during the holidays can be enjoyable ways to celebrate. They can also be a part of your overall marketing plan because they help you make contacts and maintain relationships.

Leslie Cardinal is a business and executive coach who specializes in working with business owners, leaders, and independent professionals. She can be reached at www.LeslieCardinal.com and at 210-496-3304.

If you would like to reprint this article, you are welcome to do so. Just use it in its entirety including the author and contact information.

This entry was created on Sunday, December 17th, 2006 at 3:48 pm.
Add a comment.