As we head into 2016 the costs of doing business continues to change. Today's businesses are overwhelmed and stressed to find new ways to save money, time and streamline operations. As you begin to put final touches on your 2016 growth plans, be sure you have developed a solid strategy to boost sales. If you’re struggling to figure out what to do, here are a few key activities and tips I have used and can help you begin to take action:
1. Start with an attitude shift! Studies prove that whatever you focus on becomes your reality and positive thinkers usually get positive results. So, concentrate on how to enthusiastically embrace new innovative approaches to what appears to be obstacles. Begin with identifying the possible positive outcomes which will spur creativity.
2. Focus on you! On a daily basis, reserve the vast part of the day to tackle only your top 3 priorities. Selfishly guard your time. Don’t allow disruptions. This can create unproductive days.
3. Seek new solutions. More millionaires are born in a challenged economy than in a robust one. When markets get tough, the tough go back to basics. Start by focusing on every aspect of how your business functions. When sales stall, you’ve got a window of opportunity to re-design and re-ignite new processes in your service, delivery and fulfillment that would not have ordinarily been discovered.
4. Use new tools! Get in the game and learn about and invest in the latest tools and programs to help you be the best your customers and clients expect! Use social and digital media to attract, engage and convert strangers into friends and friends into customers and clients. Embrace adaptability! Studies prove that flexibility is vital to thriving and surviving.
5. Just posting quotes won't create a brand of value. When using social media, develop a strategy that incorporates uniformity which creates a consistent brand and value for your clients and prospects.
6. Marketing message makeover: Learn to utilize words and tools that speak to your target audience so you can guarantee a more successful return on your marketing investment.
7. Put marketing activities on schedule with a plan. A lot of businesses live the "feast or famine" syndrome, where they stop marketing when times are good and therefore have no pipeline in place bringing them new leads when the economy slows down.
8. Improve your follow-up. According to the National Sales Executive Association, 2% of sales are made on the 1st contact; 3% of sales are made on the 2nd contact; 5% of sales are made on the 3rd contact; 10% of sales are made on the 4th contact, and, 80% of sales are made on the 5th to 12th contact. You must repeat your message again and again before it wakes up busy people and because of competition in the marketplace.
9. Learn to sell value! In today's competitive environment, learning what is valuable to the end user is key to repeat and continued business, which is ever changing. Seek new ways to deliver services and products more efficiently that will excite your customers and clients. When the value of your products and services is combined with strong relationships and great integrity, price becomes less of an issue.
Change is inevitable, and how you handle the challenge makes for winning or losing. Don't try to tackle everything at once. Making small changes will be easier and less intimidating.
“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.” Steve Jobs, Co-Founder of Apple Inc.
Lathea V. Morris, Principal
M&L.com – www.MorlinoandLathea.com
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