Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow

Well of course I'm going to talk about snow. It may not be the most original idea but let's face it - it's on everybody's mind at the moment so it seems like it would make good sense to capitalise on the idea.

Happy New Year by the way. It's weird that my last blog was written in a whole other decade, and just how many people are going to play on that idea? No doubt Simon Cowell will be delighted to announce that the last X Factor winner had a career which spanned two decades, whereas the truth is that he'll last about six weeks - max.

Oh the cynicism! Where would we be without it? Well these blogs would be a lot shorter for one thing. So why am I so pleased about the snow? Well let's get all of the negatives out of the way first:

My deliveries did not make it through, hence a whole bunch of customers were wondering when they were going to get their stuff. Now of course these people are reasonable - they don't blame me for the snow (although some of them would dearly love to) but it's still frustrating for them.

Lots of customers were not in their offices. This meant that the phones were quiet and even if we tried ringing people, they weren't there. Essentially, business came close to a complete stand still.

People in the office moaned about the cold. Oh, is it cold outside? I hadn't noticed, what with the seven inches of snow and the nationwide shortage of salt, fresh vegetables and Lemsip! Seriously, we get it OK - it's cold, now get on with something more interesting.

And so to the positives, because there are some:

People that did make it into the office found themselves with a little more time on their hands. Rather than being pulled in twenty different directions, they had time to reflect on the year past and plan for the year ahead. They took time to THINK, perhaps even to STRATEGISE.

How good would it have been for them if, at the very moment they were thinking they needed a particular service, that someone from your company called up simply to say hello? You'd have been like a St Bernard on the snowy mountain, there to rescue them in their hour of need. They may be thinking of trying something new, and you're just the person to help them do it.

I sent some introductory emails to prospective clients yesterday and they actually got read. In fact, I even got replies. These people are stuck in the office, wishing they could be at home making snowmen with their kids, and so they may as well read every piece of mail that comes in. I've spoken before about the power of a good and well structured opening email, and at times like these, it's even easier to get them opened by your next would be customer.

The moral of the story? Well it's quite simply that you should embrace every opportunity, and make the most of every situation. How much would your clients love you right now if your branded ice scraper was the very thing that helped them get out of their driveway this morning? Could you send your favourite client a nice branded scarf, or perhaps a branded travel mug so that they could enjoy a nice warming cup of coffee on their arduous journey to work?

Of course, if you think you've missed the boat on snow merchandise, you may well be right, so why don't we start thinking about Valentines Day, or even Easter? The earlier you get in with a good gift, the more you show your new customers that yours is a forward thinking company, ready to face the future.

Have a good week in business, and please do mail me photos of your snowmen and women so that I can include them in this blog.