One of the things I dislike about the holiday season that has just started is that, as we approach the end of December, in most areas of business (excluding retail, of course, and anything that has a year-end deadline) things get slower and slower until they come to an eventual halt during that week between Christmas and New Years -- at least in this part of the world, that's my experience.
And it's not so much the actual slowness that I object to as much as the vacation attitude that pervades this 6-week period.
Am I the only one who feels this way? Am I Scrooge reincarnate?
Ilise, if you are a Scrooge then so am I! The end-of-the-year slowdown that everyone else seems to indulge in has always created tension for me as a solopreneur. It feels like time to assess the past year, then do SERIOUS planning and preparation for next year and get ready to move on. Not a time to add a long list of holiday-related chores with a non-negotiable Dec. 25 deadline!
Please understand - I respect everyone's right to observe their own religious or cultural traditions. But for me every year it's a struggle to blend the business tasks I need and genuinely prefer to do with the holiday to-do list of things my family and friends expect.
Posted by: Kathy Piersall | November 26, 2007 at 11:32 AM
Years ago I simply closed my office for most of December. Now I find myself busy with projects for clients looking to spend the rest of their calendar year budgets - and with quite a bit of time to do those marketing related projects needed to start off the new year with a bang.
Posted by: Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | November 26, 2007 at 03:39 PM
I have a few projects in that I've been working on, but I've been feeling the slowdown as well for a while. I've decided to make the most of it - stay in more, network as much as possible, and relish the opportunity to stay in jammies all day. Plus, I'm taking the time to revisit my marketing plan (again) and make sure that my vision for next year is still where I want to go.
Posted by: Dani Nordin | November 26, 2007 at 08:18 PM
Typically in the past, December is usually slow for me, though this year has me quite surprised, with work planned out all the way through March of 08. I love my work so being busy is quite pleasurable for me, but I do admit it gets tough balancing the seasonal expectations of the holidays with work. My coping tips: Shop online. Don't overcommitt. And get good help in the office to keep late nights at a minimum. My virtual assistant is amazing. Without her, I'd be frazzled.
Posted by: Giannina Silverman | November 27, 2007 at 09:39 PM
I have always found December to be slow but here in very WARM AZ, I also find networking locally comes to a near dead hault during the months of June, July and August. There are few events being hosted and those that are, have very minimal attendance. SOOO, that leaves me with only 8 productive months of the year. Hmmm... now if I can just come up with a clever way to really use those 4 months to my benefit...
Posted by: Nicole Bandes | November 27, 2007 at 11:34 PM
I must say, it normally gets pretty quiet here too, in cold Montreal, in the month of December. And things don't seem to get back on track until mid-January.
But this year, my partner and I decided we would push through and not just ride it out.
I am not sure what the result will be, but it's worth a try.
Posted by: Catherine Duchesne | November 28, 2007 at 11:12 AM
I've found that the holiday season is a great time to get out there and do some extra networking. Which isn't too hard to do, what with all of those organizations having their holiday parties.
I'm also going to keep right at it with my cold and warm calls. That is, right up until the week-before-Christmas.
During Christmas week, I'll be with my folks, who are quite the networkers, even though they're both in their eighties. (Nothing like being closely associated with people who know a lot of people...)
So, no 6-week holiday vacation mentality here.
Posted by: Martha Retallick | November 30, 2007 at 02:17 PM
Illese - I agree with you. In fact the week before Thanksgiving - I told my colleagues to brace themselves because unless we had already engaged with some prospects, no one new would be buying from us until after the New Year.
Is it the vacation mentality - or is it budget restraints? Regardless - it stinks!
Posted by: Jim Brown | December 02, 2007 at 01:48 AM