Feeling the Heat to Make Sales Sizzle this Summer? - Try These Cool Sales Tips:

Oh summer!  What a wonderful time of year to fire-up the grill, bask in the sun, and enjoy quality time with family and friends!  There’s no doubt about it, summer is one of the best times of the year – but while you may have crowned yourself master of the Weber on the weekends, how do you plan to spice up your recipe for sales success?   Summer is not only a great time of year to rejuvenate your personal life, it’s also a perfect time to revive your work life by taking advantage of opportunities you might not have during other times of the year.

Reconnecting - Make it Personal

Throughout the summer season you may find yourself with a little extra time on your hands…as many people do tend to vacation around this time of the year.  Don’t sit around twiddling your thumbs - be proactive!   Use this time to update your client list and reach out to customers you may not have spoken to in awhile.  Your current and past clients are also the most likely to be your future clients. Create a list and start reconnecting! 

Get creative with the way you reach out to people.  No one likes receiving the standard “Update Your Contact Information” e-mails.  Here are a few more personable suggestions: 

Tried a fantastic new restaurant that you think others may like as well?  E-mail your customers and tell them about it!

Heard about a new golf course opening in the fall?  Send a note to your golf lovers who might be interested in testing out the fresh greens.  Maybe even set-up a future tee time. 

Have an amazing BBQ recipe that you think is award worthy?  Share it with your most beloved customers!  - Don’t have a master BBQ recipe? Steve Johnson, President of the Next Level wants to share his secret BBQ recipe with you!  E-mail us for this mouth-watering recipe!     

See, all it takes is a little thought.  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!  Your customers will appreciate the personal touch and you have now reopened the lines of communication.  You never know, you may just catch someone at the right moment.  Be sure to update their contact information along the way.  

Be a Social Butterfly

The weather is warm, people are out and about, and friendly faces can be found everywhere you turn.  Summer is a great time to network without even thinking about it.  Just take a look at your upcoming calendar – there is bound to be a social gathering of sorts in the near future.  Networking doesn’t have to be done in a suit and tie. Everyday activities are a great place to get to know what those around you do for a living, and let them know what you do as well.  It’s part of life.  Whether you’re cheering your kids on at the next soccer game, hanging at the community pool, or enjoying dinner next to complete strangers on your Caribbean cruise, make it a point to strike up a friendly conversation.   

People are more apt to relax and let their guard down during social activities.  You don’t have to be overly “salesy” or aggressive.  Just through casual conversation you may uncover a potential prospect.  At the very least you get to know someone a little better, or perhaps even make a new friend.   

 

Going on Vaca? - Plan Ahead So You’re Not Left Behind

While it would be nice, the world does not stop moving just because you are off on a tropical island somewhere indulging in fruity cocktails.  The fear of missing sales while you’re away can not only put a damper on your vacation, but it can also cost you and the company a potential loss of customers and money!  This does not have to be the case if you plan ahead.  Here are some simple steps you can take to avoid letting summertime sales slip through the cracks.    

1.  Avoid telling customers that you are on vacation or are going on vacation.  While it is perfectly fine to take vacation time, and very necessary to lead a balanced life, announcing it to your customers is not recommended.  Knowing that you will be away for an extended period of time could detour customers from reaching out to you for their urgent needs, and even worse, they may reach out to your competition.  A simple out of office e-mail message should suffice.  Leave a co-worker’s contact number for urgent requests.

      
2.  Be sure to have someone you trust back you up at the office in case anything comes up.  Ask them to check your e-mail and voicemail messages a couple of times a day if you are unable to check it yourself.  Chances are, they will take vacation sometime this summer too, and you can return the favor.   

3. Discuss with your manager, and your back-up person, any deals or issues that may arise while you are away.  Knowing in advance how you will handle any orders, questions, or concerns will avoid confusion when and if they occur. 

4. Plan some time in your vacation schedule to deal with hot sales issues. For example, wake up an hour early every other day to check e-mail and be available if you are needed. If you’re not needed, then great!  Take the time to go for a jog or read the paper.  

You’ve earned your vacation time, so make the most of it!  If you have planned ahead accordingly, you won’t be stressed about being away from the office, and you can use this time to relax and enjoy yourself.  If your idea of unwinding includes a good book that will help you get ahead, here are a few books we recommend reading.  

Have a great summer, and like your mother always said, “don’t forget to wear your sunscreen.” 

About The Next Level Sales Consulting

The Next Level delivers performance consulting to sales organizations, client service organizations, and call centers. We focus relentlessly on boosting the key metrics that matter most to your business.

To learn more about how to take your business to The Next Level, contact us at 310-643-7700 or visit us at www.nextlevelsalesconsulting.com

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