How to Prepare for a Successful New Year

It’s December. You made it. You need a break.

Besides, your clients and prospects are generally unresponsive as they focus on internal year-end deadlines (and holiday party hangover recovery). Might as well put your business development on hold until next year... right?

Well, sort of. It’s true that you won’t gain significant traction on most of your pursuits over the holidays, but the prudent business developer takes advantage of December downtime by focusing on strategy. Meet with your team to flesh out a game plan for Q1 2018. The calmer office atmosphere offers you the freedom to take a step back and evaluate your opportunities from an elevated perspective without the usual distractions.

Use this meeting to accomplish a few strategic activities:

• Review your top revenue sources for the past year. What were some key wins you learned from?
• If you see a trend in client type, identify the most productive client profiles you can seek out in 2018.
• What you find might surprise you. Maybe it will require shifting your marketing strategy, so determine some first steps.
• Consider running a SWOT analysis of your practice or your department so you can identify long-term changes that will bolster your results in Q1.

Remember, once January arrives, you'll have precious little time for planning. Use December to improve your aim so that when you take your shot in January, you hit your target. Best of luck to you in the New Year!

Looking for more business development tips and inspiration?

• What to do if your prospect says, "I don't know... let me think about it."
• 5 Tips for Success at Holiday Parties
• Are you Too Busy to be Successful?