Jan 27 2009
A Historic Time
History is in the wind – the inauguration, no matter what your political compass and the economy. Many of us will remember this moment in time for the uncertainty in the market, reduced sales activity, hard choices in our own businesses in the midst of industry icons falling by the wayside.
The good news for smaller businesses is that decisions can be made today that can positively affect sales activities tomorrow or this week. Make your list and prioritize with the top choice having the most immediate impact on increasing revenues. There is business activity out there and you need to secure your share, even at the expense of competition.
- Stay visible – network, email, direct mail, special offerings, whatever you can fit into your budget. Banners espousing sales, new inventories, limited offerings or decals on invoices and statements reinforcing your marketing campaign have high impact for few dollars. The subliminal impressions that you create keeps you in front of your customers. The benefits range from them actually responding to your offering to keeping you close at hand when they have a need for your widget. Vehicle graphics and lettering – your company logo or graphics or magnetic signs on your company rigs running around town or just parked in front of your business are like a moving billboard. Don’t forget your office window or door graphics and lettering – this is who you are and what you do, is it communicating properly?
- Keep an eye on your expenses – check your backlog plus projected sales vs your projected expenses. See if you need to adjust your operating costs until activity improves – profit might even be in the results and should be an objective, not just survival!
- Persevere – your company and employees are worth it, the alternatives aren’t plentiful these days.
Every day you make an effort that benefits your company you are one day closer to not only surviving but becoming more efficient and profitable. You’ve made it through November, December and almost January. Spring is just around the corner ushering in brighter days and improved business activity.
Good Selling!