It's Third Quarter 2011 - Are You Where You Need To Be For A Big Finish?

Here we are, smack dab in the middle of 3Q 2011!  Are you on track with your revenue goals?  If you are, great!  Especially in today’s economy!  But if you’re like some business owners, you may not be.  Or you may be behind just a little.  If you’re behind, you need to do something about it now.  What will it take to get you back on track?  Maybe just one focused push and your back in the game.  Fourth quarter is just around the corner. 

Here are just a few ideas that may help:

• One morning, when you first get to the office (before the phone starts ringing and people start coming through the door) grab a cup of coffee and crunch the numbers.  You may be pleasantly surprised to find that you are closer than you think.  If not, figure out exactly what the shortfall is, and what you need in the door to get your numbers back where they need to be.
• Have some cash flow “Speed and Agility” conversation with your team.  Find out what’s on their desk that they can complete that will bring in money.  It may be just a simple follow up call or to complete a simple task, but they haven’t had time.  They may not realize it’s a priority or that its revenue generating.  Pull together as a team to help get the task done. 
• Go online and Google financial advisors in your area.  Make a lunch appointment with anyone new in your area.  You may be surprised at how many new advisors appear since your last search.
• Do at least one thing each day towards your marketing and relationship building.  Make a call to a referral source, blog, schedule a workshop or take a strategic alliance to lunch. 

It may time before your efforts pay off, but it can also be just what you need to push that number where you need it to be for your third quarter goals.  Or, make for a fabulous fourth quarter!  Making sure your meeting your financial goals all comes down to consistent marketing efforts.  Are yours consistent?  Consistent marketing reaps big rewards!  It is believed that it takes 7 “touches” before a lead is ready to move.  And that move may take up to a year.  Create a consistent marketing campaign to sprinkle those touches.  Consider e-newsletters, hand written postcards, social media, phone calls and lunch dates.  Figure out what works best for you, commit to it and stick to it!  Before long, you will start seeing it make a difference in your numbers.