NOVEMBER
2004 ********************************************
IN THIS ISSUE
Welcome
Article: Business Development for the Holidays
News and Announcements
Contact Information
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WELCOME
I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful, heartwarming Thanksgiving
celebration
with family and friends. My husband and I, along with our children,
went to my sister’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. There
were 17 people for dinner and we had a fabulous feast. All went
well until the plumbing broke under the kitchen sink! Thank goodness
it happened AFTER we finished dinner. We merely stacked what we
could into the dishwasher and then filled large plastic tubs with
sudsy water to let the dishes and pots and pans soak overnightuntil
the pipes were fixed the next day!
I hope you enjoy and find useful this repeat of last year’s
holiday issue. Next month look for an all new article on the critical
success factors in public speaking!
The holidays are the perfect time to connect with clients and
contacts. Whether you are sending holiday cards,attending a festive
open house, or sharingsome quality one-on-one time with topclients,
don’t let the year end without letting the people in your
network knowthat you appreciate them. Read on for some concrete
ways to do just that.
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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Holiday Cards. Take some time to review thepeople
on your holiday card list. Review thelist to ensure it is up-to-date,
adding and deleting names as necessary, and double checking addresses.
Be sure to personally sign each card, even if the cards are imprinted
with your company’s name. Also, add a personal message on
each card. Let your contacts know you are sending this card because
you value them, not just because ‘tis the season to do so.
A personal message has the added benefit of separating your card
from the dozens your contact will likely receive.
Gifts. Many people like to send holiday giftsto
their top clients and referral sources. If thisis something you
wish to do, make sure thegift is personalized to the recipient.
In otherwords, don’t just send a generic gift basket or
oversized bar of chocolate emblazoned with your company’s
logo. A bottle of fine winefor the client who is a wine enthusiast,
or a coffee table book on a subject of passionate interest to
your top referral source will mean much more than a crystal candy
dish engraved with the firm’s name.
Company Holiday Party. This is a greatopportunity
to spend quality time with co-workers. The setting is festive
and it maybe a good time to get to know others in your company
with whom you usually don’t interact. You can also give
thanks to those who have supported, encouraged and helped you
during the year. Treat spouses who attend the party as individuals
in their own right and not just as the spouse of your co-worker.
Remember, most spouses todaywork and are involved in the community.
There may be great networking possibilities here!
Lunches and Other Get Togethers. When youare
reviewing your contact list with an eyetoward holiday cards and
gifts, take note ofthose individuals with whom you would like
to spend time over the holiday season. Invite your top clients,
referral sources and other contacts to share a meal or holiday
cocktail. Attend as many open houses and holiday parties as you
can and practice your power networking skills – adding value
and serving as a resource to those you meet. This will extend
holiday goodwill well into the New Year and provide lots of follow-up
opportunities.
Enjoy. Above all, think of the holiday season
as a great time to reconnect with clients and contacts as well
as to meet new people to add to your network. Add a personal message
and signature to your holiday cards and take the time to purchase
gifts that are personalized to the recipients. You will be glad
you took time to celebrate the holidays with those in your network
and thank them for all they’ve done for you during the year.
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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Making Rain Out Of Mist Program.
Wish me luck – for the next couple of months I will be spending
numerous hours in a studio recording the audio for the MakingRain
Out of Mist CD’s. I’m very excited about bringing
the written program and the audio together. It’s my goal
to put together a comprehensive program that is also fun to execute!
For those of you who want to purchasethe core workbook of my
Making Rain Outof Mist program (without the audio CD’s),
I am offering the book at the discounted price of $29. Also, you
will soon be able to purchase the workbook from my website. In
the meantime, please email me at Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com
or call me at 858.566.5585.
Novel Gift Idea.
Looking for a gift for the attorneys in your life? Whether you
are married to a lawyer, or have friends, colleagues, partners
or associates who are lawyers, why not help them bring in new
business by giving them a copy of my booklet, Business Development:
97 Quick & Easy Tips
For Lawyers.
To order, go to my web site at
www.rainmaker-strategies.com
or send me
an email at Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com
and I’ll be happy to process your order. Cost is $5.00
for a single copy (plus tax where applicable and shipping).
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Barbara Nichols Mencer
Rainmaker Strategies
Barbara@Rainmaker-Strategies.com
www.rainmaker-strategies.com
If you’ve enjoyed this article and learned a valuable
business-building tip, please feel free to forward
this newsletter to your friends and colleagues.
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Copyright 2003, All Rights Reserved. Reproduction
in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
