12 Christmas Ideas You Can Use All Year or (Pick your favorite 8 for Chanukah)

December 7, 2006
Issue #6

The Christmas season is huge at our house. Our house is decorated and lit up to rival any of the Christmas movies out there right now. My wife’s birthday is a 7 day extravaganza falling right in the middle of the season. Everyone is always asking, "Why can’t it be like Christmas all year long?" After watching holiday movie after movie, I was inspired to give you some ideas to make it Christmas all year round for your business.

12 Great (in my opinion) ideas inspired by the holiday season that you can use all year

#1 Decorate- Take a look at all your marketing pieces and your web site. Make sure that they stand out and they reflect your personality. You don’t want to blend in with the crowd. Are you proud of the way you present yourself to the public? If not, get decorating!

#2 Be nice- This is the time of year we are nice to everyone. It is always amazing how the service people do an extra good job after a little holiday tip or after a few kind words. Remember this all year and you will enjoy the results of being nice.

#3 Listen and accept- Every Christmas movie we've watched this year seems to have a happy ending after someone listens to and accepts someone who is a little different or having a problem. If we as salespeople would listen to our prospects and accept their view of situations before we act, we might well have an easier time doing business. OK there are exceptions to this rule. Some of the people we deal with should be cut loose-give yourself a present.

#4 Socialize- Over the holidays we all seem to get out more and talk to lots of people. So many people have stories of doing business with someone they met at a holiday event. Remember this lesson throughout the year. Put yourself in position to meet new people and many good things will happen.

#5 Give- The holidays are a time when we all seem to give a little bit more. No matter what you give, (time, advice, money, etc.) you feel good when you give and you get so much back. This concept works all year. Not just at Christmas.

#6 Volunteer- People seem to volunteer during the holidays more than any other time of year. Volunteering is another form of giving that has great psychological and often financial returns as a side effect.

#7 Holiday Spirit- People always seem to be in a great mood during the holidays. Keep that positive attitude throughout the year. It will draw people to you and allow you to accomplish so much more.

#8 Family and friends- Over the holidays we spend time with family and friends. Keep in mind all year the real reason you work. What is more important than the people in your life? This is a lesson for all year long.

#9 Dream- The holidays are the time of year when we have big dreams. Remember to dream and plan throughout the year. Just for the sake of turning your dreams into reality, write those dreams down and periodically check your progress.

#10 Say thank you- During the holidays we are on automatic pilot to say thank you. It feels good when someone thanks you. Remember to say thank you all the time. It is one of the little things we do in life that has an enormous impact. Besides that, it is almost a lost art that is worth preserving.

# 11 Send your packages the most effective way- Two points here. For your presents to get to the intended person, you have to send them. Make sure you send things all year long. Point two is to send them the most effective way. Make sure you communicate with your clients the most effective way whether it is by e-mail, regular mail, phone call or personal delivery. Early and often delivery gets the best results.

#12 Shop early- This sounds like a blatant ad could be coming!  Thank you (#10) to all my clients and people who have referred me business; you have made my first year so much fun and rewarding. End of blatant ad.

Monthly Tech Tip

Every month I give you some tip that will improve your grasp of technology. This month I am going to give you my most important tech tip of all. Visit your competitors’ web sites. What you will find there are either opportunities or challenges. If they have good or great sites, you will get ideas and an indication of the work you have ahead of you to be competitive. If they are lousy or non-existent, you have a great opportunity for a competitive advantage.