Many businesses have
regular slow times, often around the holidays or in the dead of winter. Instead of feeling anxious about this, use the time to do the things you have been putting off. Here is my own personal list of what I'll be doing over the holidays.
1. Get organized. End of year is a perfect time to clean out files, get rid of old papers and books. Generally clean out your office and filing system to prepare for the new year. This will help not only your working environment, but your physical and mental energy.
2. While you are cleaning out, notice how many client or customer files have gone dormant. Pull them all together and make contact. Offer a freebie or a discount that may bring that client back as an active client.
3. Plan for next year. Develop your marketing plan for the start of next year. What new products will you bring forth? What new services? How will your business grow and change next year? Now is the time to start thinking about and preparing for these new initiatives.
4. Review lessons learned. What good things happened this past year? Why did they happen? Can you build more of that into your next year? What calamaties occured? Can you build preventions into your systems so that it doesn't happen again? This is the time of year to look back and see what happened and what caused them to happen. What marketing strategies really worked and which ones failed? Has your customer base stayed the same or changed over time? Are your name and branding understood and do they still serve you? Do your computer systems work well? Do you have adequate backups, virus and spyware protection and updated programs?
5. Produce one new product or service. We all have felt like we don't have enough time to get out another product or service, something that will add to our income. Now is the time! Set yourself a goal and a schedule and get started in this slow time.
6. Review your metrics system. How do you keep track of your business? You know, tracking how many clients or customers you have, repeat or new business, how much spent and on what, marketing campaign results, etc. These are called metrics and will help you understand and grow your business. Review your metrics and see if you are tracking the rights things. Is there a better way? Are there things on there that do not help you? Are there things you should add? Are your metrics serving you and your business?
7. Review your systems. We all use systems in our businesses even though we might not call them that. We have a time management system (calendar, day planner, computer calendar, assistant, etc.). We have an accounting system, whether it is an accountant, a computer program such as QuickBooks, or a paper and pencil system. We have a shopping cart system whether it is done through snail mail, on the computer or in person at a retail establishment. Often we outgrow our systems and they no longer are efficient. This would be a good time to determine if changes are needed. Another great step is to document your systems. Actually write down a procedure, the steps to accomplish all of the normal activities and tasks required in your business. This makes it much easier to train employes, to give work to a virtual assistant or to get temporary help when you need it.
8. Send out holiday greetings and marketing material. Your list is your gold mine. This is a great time to contact everyone on your customer or client list and also those on your vendor or associate list.
9. What's the one thing you regret not having done in your business this year? Maybe it is a goal you did not meet or an action you took that didn't turn out well. Is there something now you can do to remedy this situation? Something you can do to meet that goal?
10. Take time out for renewal, refresh yourself for the new year. Relax.
All content copyrighted, 2006, Life Unfolds and Mary Anne Fields. All rights reserved.
