The Final To Do’s to Get Ready for a Breakthrough New Year

It happened. We all kept going to bed and waking up and going to bed and waking up and POOF, we are at the end of 2008 … funny how life works that way.

The greatest value I felt I could share with you today is to provide a direction that would help you see the changing world of business in 2009.

I see 2009 as being the year of direct sales.

In every business of every size imaginable, more sales is the buzzword. Cold lead generation is a skill that will reap tremendous benefits in 2009. Learning how to do it successfully and consistently is check point number one.

To Do # 1 – Develop a working strategy for daily cold sales lead generation. Keep your pipeline filled and create clear and focused next steps in every sales interaction.

Cold sales lead generation takes careful targeting to work. Who are the clients that: you enjoy working with most, gain the greatest value from your services and are true fans of you and your business?

To Do # 2 – Make a list of the existing clients that fit the criteria above, find out their SIC codes and use that data to target new prospects and potential sales opportunities.

Your business image will be paramount in the New Year. If you have not leveraged the power of MEMEs in your brand, now is the time to upgrade. Make sure that you are proud of the image you’re portraying and your frequently hear "Tell me more about that," when people ask what you do.

To Do # 3 – Turn your existing logo into a MEME (workable if on a very tight budget) or upgrade your company image with a brand upgrade (best option) so that you can promote and sell successfully in 2009.

When you’re traveling, if you don’t have a map, you are lost most of the time. The same is true of sales. You must follow a written plan that includes:

• Marketing to attract qualified leads

• A system of selling that converts attraction into revenue at least 1-in-5 times

• A client relationship management (CRM) program that creates more sales and generates referrals consistently throughout the year.

To Do # 4 – Develop a complete sales process as outlined above. Write down the steps and develop the attraction and follow up touches. This will be your guiding light to increased profits in 2009.

As the saying goes, “Out of sight, out of mind.” If you did nothing with any of these other ideas, To Do # 5 could get you by. Keep touching existing clients and don’t stop following up with prospects who are interested in your offer or business until they say yes or no.

To Do # 5 – Go through your database and take out anyone who is dead. No sense spending money marketing to people who have no interest. Now focus on your most valuable assets; your existing client list and prospects you have permission to follow up with.

Develop at least one marketing touch per month for existing clients.

Next, create at least seven touches for prospects that have given you permission to follow up but you have not closed yet. Run the entire seven to twelve touches over a six to eight week period with every sales opportunity you discover.

This will be a make or break year for many.

Reinvention for greater satisfaction, more free time and increased earnings is an emerging trend in 2009.

Taking your business to the Next Level is possible for people who are open minded and willing to move in a different direction for increased sales and higher revenues.

Tying the value client’s gain from your business to your sales story will be paramount to break through prospect mind clutter in 2009.

Even if you are out of money, need sales today and are willing to make modifications to the direction you’re heading, there is hope and inexpensive strategies you can follow.

Personally, I am committed to the idea that small business is the future of the American economy.

Everyone reading this article today is a pioneer in a new, emerging world of business. In fact, micro business and Solopreneurs could change the course of work entirely in the years ahead.

Throughout the New Year I’ll deliver value, ideas and services that will give creative, open minded small business owners the resources they need to thrive in our changing world of business.

I am glad you’re on board. 2009 will be a year of change for us all. Together, we will reach our greatest goals.