Living in Canada means that I get to enjoy the change of seasons, and I for one love this time of year.  Here we call it ‘sweater weather’ where you can go out feeling comfortable, feeling neither super hot nor super cold.  My dogs and I love going out on super long walks drinking in the crisp fall air.

The colours in the fall are gorgeous and it puts us in a new mindset.  We realize that we are approaching the end of the year.

Actually, if you were to count from October to the end of the year; we really only have 10 weeks left before the New Year!   In fact, in terms of working that translates to 8 working weeks.  Really, where does the time go?

What are you going to do for the last 8 weeks? Well, let’s start off with this, forget about what you did or didn’t do in the past, it’s gone and over with.  Starting TODAY, let’s make a fun plan to give you that extra push to get you moving. Then, by the time the holidays roll in, you will feel great about how you ended off your business year.

Here’s how simple it can be…

Get in touch with your top clients, contacts and prospects.

The autumn/winter season provides a lot of opportunities to get face-to-face with your best clients and contacts. We already know that the relationship you have with your clients is what drives your business.

• One of the first things you can do to reach many people at once is to host a client event! And it doesn’t have to be elaborate.
• Make your client party fun by taking advantage of the season. Things like a fall hayride or pumpkin picking come to mind.  
• Or swing by your clients’ homes with a small thank you gift. Treat them to a small pumpkin, a pie, or their favourite bottle of wine. 
• Apple picking on a farm is a wonderful family event that is relatively easy to organize. 
• Or how about an ice skating party?  

You don’t have to go crazy, just pick one event that you like and do it well.

There is no loss for ideas for your events.  Google is such an awesome search engine.  Just google client appreciation events or client appreciation ideas and prepare to get overwhelmed by the limitless and endless stream of ideas. 

And remember, take the time to thank your clients for their business and referrals and ask them to continue to refer you.

So, no excuses!  Grab a sheet of paper, or open up a doc and start making a plan for the next 8 weeks of what you want to do.

1. Make your list of people that absolutely need to hear from you.  

2. Decide if you wish to do an event - remember, keep it simple so that you will actually do it.

3. Make happy holiday calls/and notes to all your past clients and prospects on your list.

4. Pick your top 25 people and get them something special that you can drop off or mail to their home

Think about how this will make your clients ‘feel’.  I love the quote from Maya Angelou who said:

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Leaving your clients, prospects, family and friends feeling appreciated, will 100% boost your business and give you a great start to the New Year.

I mean, after all, wouldn’t you remember someone that went the extra mile for you?