Steve Clark: 9 Strategies to Help You Become Bullet Proof In this Slow Economy

As the economy slows and businesses cut back on purchases, it will become more important than ever that companies and salespeople aggressively increase their efforts to acquire new clients. This new economic climate will provide great opportunities for those businesses that get off of their butt and hustle.

Below are 9 strategies and ideas to help you increase market share and take advantage of opportunities that others will ignore.

1. As your competitors sulk, complain about how bad the economy is and cut back on their business acquisition activities there will be less competition in the marketplace. Those who are out in the marketplace aggressively seeking new business will find themselves having to deal with fewer and fewer competitors. This thinning of the marketplace will become an advantage for those who are out there looking for new business.
2. Some of your competitors will go out of business, and it will make it easier for you to acquire their customers and clients.
3. Many companies will cut back on their advertising, marketing and sales efforts to save money. You must resist the urge to do so and instead increase your marketing and sales efforts by increasing your level of activity and calls.
4. Consider new marketing and advertising initiatives. This increase in marketing and advertising will help you penetrate new markets and increase market share.
5. Increase your contact with existing clients by doubling or tripling the frequency in which you reach out to them. Remember, your best customer is someone’s best prospect. And in this economic climate it is imperative that sellers do everything they can to cement and maintain relationships with existing customers. Above all, resist the temptation to take your existing customers for granted.
6. Increasing your level of contact with existing customers will also reassure them and provide them with confidence that you’re still there. Your customers want to know that you’re still there and doing well. It is reassuring for them to know that you will still be around when they need you.
7. Consider repackaging and bundling products and services that you now offer. Prospects and customers are becoming more choosey and are looking for greater value and good deals.
8. Consider adding new products or services to existing offerings that you have. Be bold. Be innovative and use this time to become a market leader.
9. Improve your own personal sales and marketing skills by investing in training, coaching and mentoring programs that will give you a competitive edge. During a slow down one of the first things people do is to cut back on training and education. This is a huge mistake. Take advantage of your competitor’s poor business strategy by increasing your training and skill enhancement.

How you should use this list. Print it out and read it daily. Print it out and carry it with you in your vehicle. Review it before each appointment. Forward it to all of your clients and prospects. Share it with your prospects in your face-to-face meetings.