Business Success During the Holiday Season – Monarch Money mesage Nov. 21st, 2017

It’s Thanksgiving week here in the United states. A time of eating, watching Football, and gathering with family and friends. We talk about that for which we are grateful, and begin reflection of the year. It’s also the official launch of the holiday season.

Over the years, I have heard from many of my clients, how stressful this time of year is. I hear, “No one wants to do any business” , “there is so much pressure of sending the perfect gift or holding a magnificent event”, or even “I hate December because it takes me all of January to get my business back up and running”. Sound familiar?

So many of us feel there is so much we “have to do”. It causes a lot of stress, and often times financial constraints. So, Let me show you how to make this time easier, profitable, and set yourself up for a rocking 2017. Here are 3 strategies to make this holiday season the best ever:

1. Forget throwing parties, buying gifts, and sending cards.
   Why be one of so many? Unless you are first, or do something so outlandish, odds are your event will not be memorable, your gift goes in a big pile, and who knows where your card will end up?
   Better option: do any for these things at any other time of year. It will be a lot more appreciated, and mostly remembered if you are the only one.
2. Spend some quality time with your best customers.
   Set it up way in advance, and take the time to not just thank them, but do an “annual review”, and discover their plans and needs for 2017. It can be as simple as a phone call or a sit down.
3. Set up January appointments NOW!
   Avoid the “call me in the new year” syndrom.  Pre-empt it by being proactive. This will save you tons of time trying to get your calendar up and going again, and will let you start 2017 right out of the gate!

You can have a successful holiday season! That being said, the holidays also offer us the opportunity for reflecting, reviewing, and recharging. Make sure you take some time out to do just that!

BONUS TRACKING WITHOUT TRACKING TIP:
Make sure you know who your best customers are. If you are not sure, here is a simple way to find out. However you track how you get paid (of course I hope it is with an accounting system such as quickbooks, peachtree, etc), do a customer report, and sort by payments. Voila! If you are extra industrious feeling, you can look at all your customers and determine who are your A,B,C and D customers too! More on that next month….

Have a Happy Thanksgiving to all those in the States-

To your success,

Coach Lee