Finding the time to get everything done is a problem we all face when developing a business. Whether you’re a consultant, accountant or engineer, practicing your trade takes up all your time making it seemingly impossible to find the extra time to create and develop the relationships necessary to bring in new business. There just are not enough hours in the day to accomplish it all.
As a result, business development activities end up ill planned and inconsistent. This leads to prospects slipping away and poor customer service making it look like you don’t care. On the contrary, you probably care a great deal! So, let’s look at some tactics that will help you streamline your business and your accomplish your priorities.
Creating Schedules and Goals
Creating schedules and goals and following them can be a lifesaver. It is best to have several schedules and goals at one time. Start with a daily schedule. What do you need to accomplish today in order to have everything situated for the week or month? Next, create a weekly and a monthly schedule. These are your short term and longer term goals that you need to reach. Break everything down into lists and be as detailed as you feel you need to be. It is very satisfying to mark things off as they are completed and gives you a sense of accomplishment.
Focus On Efforts That Offer the Best Chance of Success
When you are creating those schedules and goals, know where to spend your precious time. So often, it can take just as much time and effort to seal a $1,000 deal as it does to sell a $50,000 deal. Focus on deals and proposals that have the greatest potential for long-term success for you and your organization.
Be Organized
Being organized is essential for running any business. Business development can be an insane task if you are tracking all your contacts, leads, and activities. To keep your precious time the most effective, use a CRM platform to keep track of your sales conversations. Make sure to take and keep good notes on everything you discuss. At the end of each conversation, set a solid next step for yourself and record this in your CRM platform. This will help you stay organized as well as prioritize your follow-up and sales efforts. There are several good CRM platforms that range from free to paid for small businesses. Here are a few good ones that Business News Daily suggests:
Build Your Business Development Skills
More than likely you learned the majority of the ins and outs of your trade advancing through the ranks and building knowledge around your particular skill. Despite your expertise, you may have had very little business development training. Be sure you are constantly studying and learning business development skills needed to be the best at what you do. Learn how to effectively “sell” your products or services. Don’t be pushy, but have information readily available so that you can talk about what you have to offer if and when the opportunity arises. A sincere belief in your product will translate into a convincing sales pitch.
If you need additional direction in building these skills and need a mentor, please contact IgniteHQ for more information.
