Okay, so maybe it hasn’t been your best year, as of this date, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be. Do you see football teams handing the ball over to the other team in the last quarter when they aren’t winning? If they do, it certainly isn’t on purpose. There is an entire quarter to go in this year’s game of business.
We have about 90 days left in the year. Certainly time to pull out all the stakes and make your claim to new revenue. Here is where to begin:
Fix customer service – Stop listening in on calls that you’ve recorded for the purposes of improving customer service and make the darn improvements. At a minimum, do one thing a day and by the end of the month, you should be well on your way to improving your service enough to retain customers who may have considered going elsewhere.
Be more visible – When is the last time you’ve personally paid a visit to a customer or client? It’s easy to hide behind your computer all day or your cell phone. Customers still appreciate knowing there is a real person who is running the business and not just an avatar. And while you are there, don’t forget to bring some coffee and bagels for the staff of your best customers.
Release that new product – If the product is darn close to perfection, (unless of course your product is a matter of life and death) then get it out the door. I know what you are thinking. Apple released their new I-phone 5 and did so without perfect maps. So what? Some bad press, yet they still managed to break a sales record and last I heard, people were still buying their phones. Keeping a new service or product on the shelf while you wait to perfect it will do nothing to add revenue to your bottom line. Vow to get that product out the door…now.
Get rid of your dead weight – Just about every company has employees who aren’t really up to the job. You can help these people by letting them go. That’s right. Give them permission to get on with their life. Now is the time to make these changes or you will soon be using the same excuse you used last year. “I can’t let these people go. It’s Thanksgiving.”
