Find, close and deliver business differently.
Are you closed for the summer?
About a decade ago my wife asked me a question that I will never forget, partially because of her follow-up to my response. She asked, “What if you didn’t pay attention to your business or clients for a couple months?” My response was that I wouldn’t have a business. She pointed out that marriage works that way, too. She is really good at saying everything she needs to with very few words. I need to get better with that, and while I have improved, I still need to get better at balancing work and family time. Let’s focus on her initial question, though.
Many consultants, sales people and entrepreneurs reduce their sales and networking activity during the summer and/or the October-December time frame. They spend most of their time vacationing or taking it easy because “clients aren’t available.”
Let’s do some quick math. Take off July and August (and maybe part of June,) then take off November and December (and maybe part of October) and you lose 1/3-1/2 of your year – not to mention the momentum you need to sustain and grow your accounts. THAT’S CARZY!!! I admit that I need to get better at taking time off, but at the same time income has to be generated, too.
It is a myth that clients are unavailable
Yes, some people can be more difficult to reach during the summer. Others get much easier, because they aren’t being bothered by everyone else who has taken the summer off – and business still needs to get done. I often generate more business in August and December than I do in other months of the year – because I know I need to focus on it.
Many colleagues that take the summer and holidays off tell me they do it because those are their slowest months. They are usually right because the prophecy fulfills itself through their actions. Like I said, those are usually my best – again through self-fulfilling prophecy.
People still network and buy stuff regardless of what month it is or what the economy looks like. What would happen to your business if you closed up shop for a couple months?
Many consultants, sales people and entrepreneurs reduce their sales and networking activity during the summer and/or the October-December time frame. They spend most of their time vacationing or taking it easy because “clients aren’t available.”
Let’s do some quick math. Take off July and August (and maybe part of June,) then take off November and December (and maybe part of October) and you lose 1/3-1/2 of your year – not to mention the momentum you need to sustain and grow your accounts. THAT’S CARZY!!! I admit that I need to get better at taking time off, but at the same time income has to be generated, too.
It is a myth that clients are unavailable
Yes, some people can be more difficult to reach during the summer. Others get much easier, because they aren’t being bothered by everyone else who has taken the summer off – and business still needs to get done. I often generate more business in August and December than I do in other months of the year – because I know I need to focus on it.
Many colleagues that take the summer and holidays off tell me they do it because those are their slowest months. They are usually right because the prophecy fulfills itself through their actions. Like I said, those are usually my best – again through self-fulfilling prophecy.
People still network and buy stuff regardless of what month it is or what the economy looks like. What would happen to your business if you closed up shop for a couple months?
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