Of course, we aren't saying that you pack up your papers just yet folks! However, a plan of action is best executed when planned well in advance of weary minds and the Christmas / New Year wind down.
Once December 1 rolls around you will quickly see in-office talk turn to parties and presents, rather than projects and pricing structures in the new year.
As this is more often the case in offices, there is such a thing in the UK as a "Christmas Shutdown", which your company may operate over Christmas - New Year. It is this period of time that is most prevalent for our post this week.
After all, if your dream clients are also operating such a "shutdown", they're at home doing nothing. If they're like any CEOs and MDs we know, they're twiddling their thumbs and cleaning out the inbox, planning for next year.
Why aren't you there in their faces in that one period of time that they are more likely to see you than at any other point?
In the Run Up to Christmas Day
Your team is a hive of chatter and anticipation for lie ins, mince pies and a few many trips to the pub. This may be excitement that you want to build on, but you need to keep things thriving until the day they leave for the Christmas Shutdown.
After all, there is going to be around about a week of inactivity at your company over Christmas, so the run-up cannot be wasted.
Typically speaking, sales and marketing teams are the first to switch off in December - after all few people are arranging meetings to meet clients and start new projects in the last few days until Christmas.
However, this year we have discovered marketing automation (see below)!
- Why not prepare some lead generation funnels for the Christmas period?
- Schedule some social media messages that "can't go wrong" - be wary about this.
- Get the diary for January filled by catching up with and reaching out to current clients
- Strive to still network and meet new people - the festive season is perfect for this with awards nights, Christmas parties and the alike.
During the Christmas Shutdown
Keep things ticking over by checking up on social media (although don't become glued to it - you're supposed to be resting too)! Marketing automation is fantastic so if you've scheduled blog posts, social messages and email campaigns you get a big thumbs up from Thrive!
However, you can't just "let them work their magic", it's wise to play it safe and just double check that the email went out looking on-brand and that your messages haven't been controversial when breaking news has been aired etc.
In short, keep your online presence running smoothly, so if people are looking for you they can find you! However, don't be controversial, otherwise you'll have to get back to work earlier than planned!
Should you have a Christmas Shutdown?
These policies are put in place for reasons - i.e. some companies know that their major clients are also going to be off, so there's little point staying open. It may be protocol with holiday distribution among employees to stay off at this time. Additionally, you may simply feel that public transport disruption, bad weather and your company location means it's easier to treat this period as unworkable.
If you can cleverly "keep up appearances" and you're a dab hand with technology yourself, you can monitor your online presence from home and catch up with emails if you feel it necessary.
Don't forget to enjoy yourself too! The #1 reason for Christmas Shutdowns is so that the whole team can come back rested in January when those new clients from the Christmas meetings period come flooding in!
