As the end of the year looms, so do the typical distractions that we all have to face as holiday time approaches. There are few people in business who don’t feel the crunch of November and December slowdowns and unless you’re in retail or e-commerce, you may need to develop a performance strategy to ensure that you end the year on a strong note.

Even if your industry does a lot of business over the holiday season, in order to assure your position, you know that you need to start marketing well in advance. Once the busy time starts you’ll be less able to get on people’s radar, much less stay on it.

Here are some great tips to help you reach your targets:

1. Think three months in advance

Don’t wait until you see the Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations in the stores. By that time you’re already late to the starting gate. Start compiling your hit lists in late September/early October and prepare your holiday marketing campaigns for launch by the end of October.

2. Engage your stakeholders

Meet with your team to brainstorm ideas for how to finish the year strong. Ask each individual to bring at least two ideas to the table and to prepare a presentation for each one. You may be surprised at the enthusiasm that some ideas are able to generate! This enthusiasm is generally a good indication of how well the ideas will be implemented.

3. Anticipate demand

If you sell products or services that you have a finite inventory for, it is important to project how many units you will need to satisfy demand should your marketing efforts be successful. It’s all great to stir up excitement, but you need to be able to deliver. Explore your timelines and find out what’s feasible and viable before blowing your horn.

4. Follow up judiciously

You’ve done all the work of getting your name and your product or service in front of the right people but you still run the risk of being forgotten – unless you follow up. Follow-up should be a key aspect of your plan. Send reminders. Make sure you get your newsletters out there. Contact them just enough that they don’t forget about you.

5. Always begin with the end in mind

While your business is ongoing, finishing the year strong can make all the difference in your company’s strength and value. To this end, you need to keep your focus on the finish line. Set targets with an emphasis on expedience and results. The more time you spend in the planning stages, the less you’ll have for execution. Make decisions, then make things happen.

These are just a few great tips to help you finish the year strong – but we’ve got plenty more!

If you are looking for affordable, flexible office space to support you on the way to the finish line, drop by Lakeside Executive Suites for a tour. We’d love to show you how we can help.