Put Some Spring In Your Business

I was watching an NBA game the other night and noticed something peculiar.  Now, I have probably watched hundreds of professional basketball games on TV in my life but, just hadn’t noticed this before.  For the first time, I saw a real difference in how the players were playing the game and I couldn’t immediately figure out what it was.

 As I watched just a little more action I realized what it was.  The players were playing with such a high energy level.  They had a spring in their step and they were so active – diving for the ball and trying to block every shot.  Even Shaquille O’Neal (certainly not noted for his high energy level on the court) had an incredible bounce in his game – he even played some defense!  This was so different from what I typically see when I watch professional basketball.  But, why? 

 It hit me.  It must be the freshness of the new basketball season that was the reason for this “springiness”.  There’s something different at the beginning of the year, especially when compared to late in the year.   The team is ready to get started.  No one is tired, worn out or injured.  They are just ready to go.

 Is it the same with your business?  It gets to be late in the year and the plan and goals just aren’t quite as inspiring anymore.  Things didn’t go as well as you wanted.  Maybe it would be easier to just muddle your way through the rest of the year and take your lumps.  Just go into survival mode and try to maintain the status quo.  Wait until next year to do something different.

 Wouldn’t it be better if you could put that spring back into your business this time of the year?  Like the beginning of a new year – new goals, new opportunities, etc.  It seems easy to start the year off with that bounce.   So, wouldn’t it be nice to do that now?

Here are some ways to put that spring in your business late in the year…

• Build your plan for next year – you should be doing this anyway but, you can get the energy and the inspiring feeling of the new year now
• Set some short term goals – lay out some key activities that you know need to be done that can help drive some positive results for your business and start working on them
• Rejuvenate your team –  give your team something unexpected… a simple gift or card of appreciation or maybe a couple of tickets to a movie 

 It’s definitely late in the year but it’s also time to put that spring back into your step.  I would encourage you to generate some energy for your business now.

 Until next time… here’s to you making better marketing and sales decisions.