When the end of the quarter or fiscal year is quickly approaching, it might seem like you can finally take a breath and maybe even coast to the finish line. But this is definitely not the time to rest on your laurels; in fact, this is the perfect time to capitalize on all of your most recent sales. It may seem counterintuitive, but the end of a quarter or fiscal year can actually be the most opportune time to aggressively attack your goals and finish strong!
When sales are steadily on the upswing, putting your foot on the gas in a few key areas can be a wise and strategic move. If done well, it can pay you dividends in the long run. Here are a few business tips to help you launch into the next quarter or fiscal year with a high likelihood of sustainable success.
Think More Creatively
Adding a creative twist to your work can gain the attention of your customers. Sticking to your original strategy may be working, but it doesn't hurt to keep your customers on their toes or even try to reach a new segment of the market. Let’s say you run a health club and have traditionally focused on serving women, and this has served you well. You may even be yielding high-growth sales numbers every month. But what about creating a special offer for the women who attend your club and the special people in their lives? You could offer an event, like a “Free Cycling Date,” and encourage your existing customers to bring a plus-one. This is a fun way to draw in new potential customers and plant a seed for eventual expansion into a new customer base.
Revisit The “No”s
There are going to be clients who may have said "no" to your products and services months ago, but be careful not to consider this their final answer. Every couple of months, it’s worth checking back with these folks to see if they still feel the same way. This could be as simple as picking up the phone and having a casual conversation or it could take the form of an email marketing campaign. Even if only one of the clients that previously said “no” changed their mind, it could be enough to push you over your goal.
Set Up Review Meetings
Even when things are going well, there’s always room for improvement. Consider putting a standing meeting on your team’s calendar at the end of every quarter, in which you can regroup and figure out what’s working well and what could stand to be fixed or changed. Review your customer outreach strategies, upselling opportunities, sales strategy goals, and everything in between. Meeting face-to-face with co-workers can result in creative ideas, important feedback and overall boosts in morale.
Get Personal With Clients
You might have a sophisticated automated nurture campaign for clients, which is great, but people still really appreciate a personal touch. Write a handwritten note to potential clients and customers. They will notice the extra effort, and sometimes that’s just what’s needed to build trust in you and your company. This type of outreach is one of the least expensive, yet most effective, ways to engage a client or prospect and it can really help your business stand out among your competition.
Change Your Habits
If your ultimate goal is more business growth, you might be standing in your own way. Although no one ever wants to admit it, sometimes our entrenched habits and behaviors can weigh us down. For example, you might spend 15 minutes scrolling through your Facebook feed when you get into the office each morning or maybe you put off your most important tasks until the last minute. Figuring out where you might be wasting time, shortchanging your productivity, or causing undue stress – and being honest with yourself about it – is a huge step toward positioning you and your company to reach new heights.
Think through any improvements you can implement with yourself and come up with a plan that will help you make the changes and remain accountable. Showing up early, staying late, being more flexible, listening more, volunteering, and being more organized are a few examples of ways to improve your image. Changing a few bad habits shows that you are proactive and could make a huge difference with clients and even sales.
Businesses are similar to the best runners, because they don’t slow down, even when they near the finish line. Following these business tips will help you get some extra traction at the end of a quarter or fiscal year, make the most of the groundwork that’s already laid out and ultimately reach the finish line successfully.If you would like any help with your digital marketing strategy, please contact us!