It’s not exactly a secret that business to business (B2B) sales companies see a decline in revenue during the holidays. While the retail world ramps up to its busiest season, B2B companies find that their prospects just aren’t interested in considering big changes or playing phone tag with a salesperson.
So as a leader, do you just count the entire period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s a lost cause? That may be unwise, with poor sales morale leading to a slow start after the holidays. You’re better off maximizing your time by focusing on what you can actually control.
Assess your finances
The holiday season is the perfect time to review last year’s budget and build a new one for 2024. What went well? Where is there room for improvement? Did any unexpected expenses crop up? Run the numbers and envision how dollars will be spent in the new year.
This is also a great time to consider end of year giving. Are there local charities your business typically supports? Perhaps there are also new initiatives that could benefit from the media presence of a partner like your business. Talk to your team and see if anyone has a personal connection to a non-profit or cause. This is a great shift in focus for your sales team from a sense of scarcity to one of generosity and abundance.
Show staff appreciation
Your sales team will be feeling the holiday slump. Rather than pretend it’s not happening, use this slower time to boost their spirits with a monetary holiday bonus for a job well done this year. Individualized praise and appreciation, whether written or verbal, is also appreciated. Consider conducting a celebratory “year in review” meeting, where accomplished goals are highlighted and staff members are honored in front of their team. Sweet treats never hurt this time of year, either.
Implement new tech
All year it can be hard to find the “right time” to undergo big software changes or consider the implementation of new technology. The holiday slump is the perfect time to train your sales staff on a new program. With fewer calls each day, it will be easier to schedule blocks of time for technology upgrades and education sessions. Additionally, learning a new skill will give your sales team a sense of purpose and hope during a time that may otherwise lead to apathy.
Many companies are hurrying to add trendy artificial intelligence to their tech stack. It’s important to make sure that the AI you buy will actually improve your business and assist your staff, rather than create additional busywork or eliminate jobs. Pipes.ai might be just the thing you’re looking for.
Try our AI
Pipes.ai is a human-guided custom AI software built to streamline lead management for sales teams. In contrast to the short history of many competitors, Pipes.ai has a five year track record of working out kinks and maximizing lead conversion. A custom large language model (LLM) is combined with human editing to ensure that sales leads receive one-of-a-kind service.
Even better, Pipes.ai is compatible with most API’s and CRM’s and can be up and running in just 1-2 days. It is fully compliant with the TCPA out of the box. Rather than take jobs from your sales staff, Pipes.ai does the hard work of sifting through potential clients to deliver only the most interested leads to your team.
Perhaps the best holiday gift you could give both your business and your employees is a software that will eliminate dead-end leads, ensuring your sales team can work at their maximum efficiency. A boost in both revenue and sales team morale? Even Santa can’t top that. Try our AI today.
