Resolution #1
: Resolve to keep track and record the promotions, processes, operational strategies, and any other events that you implement in November and December that work exceptionally well. Get a notebook and carry it with you, where you can record all of the ideas that really pulled customer traffic and caused sales to increase during this time of year. Make it a day-by-day list. Make notes on customer requests, employee suggestions, and those random thoughts you have as an owner that pop-up in your head, and then, disappear. Recording what works will help you plan for more success next year. Plus, it’s always easier to remember your failures long after they occur. Who needs to write your failures down, when they linger with you so much longer? (Does this sound familiar, you perfectionists?) Plus, your successes are much more fun to read later on. Success brings more success!
Resolution #2: Resolve to use the high traffic days this month, when customers are flocking to your business, to make a concerted effort to capture their names in a database. Some businesses see 25-40% of all their customers during these last two months. Capture your customers’ names, so you can invite those customers back during a low-traffic midweek date in mid-December, and later, invite them back again the second week in January, when no other business is inviting anyone back. If you get overwhelmed just thinking about database collection, just try to get their email addresses. You can do this by letting your customers know that between now and February 1, any subscriber to your email newsletter has a chance to receive free prizes, gifts, free whatever… if they join. Let them know that until February 1, they can expect to receive an email every 2-3 weeks (you set the frequency). This list is going to be invaluable in January, as you put your marketing message in front of those customers.
Resolution #3: Take time to look at your competition during these peak time periods. What are they doing this year differently than before? Sometimes, one gets so busy during these last months of the year that we don’t take the time to strategically evaluate our competition. Write down their best ideas and plan on adapting them to your own business when you roll them out next year.
So, there you have it. Three simple, yet powerful, resolutions. Sure, you have a lot to do this month already! I understand that. But acting on these three Resolutions right now will help you have a much more sane January, with much higher sales!