STAPLES BizTIPs: Spreading holiday cheer on a budget

By Small Business Expert Roger Pierce, BizLaunch

December is here and it’s time to plan your strategy to build client relationships during the holiday season. Since most small business owners don’t have huge budgets to throw extravagant parties, consider these tips to please your best customers and prospects:

• Thank you lunch. Remember that most people are busy in December attending evening functions, so take your best customers out for lunch. Your clients will appreciate such quality one-to-one time with you.


• Greeting cards. Although nothing new, a holiday card says you’re thinking about your client or prospect and usually stays on their desk for a couple of weeks. Create a list and mail non-denominational cards to your prospects, taking the time to personalize each message. 


• Simple phone call. Pick up the phone and wish your clients and prospects the best of the holiday season in person. Try not to talk about business, other than to thank them for working with or considering yours.


• Send a small gift. It’s the little touches that make your business stand out from your competition. Assemble a small gift basket with an assortment of coffee, cheese, fruit, chocolates or cookies and drop it off to your best clients or prospects.

You can learn more about this and other how-to topics in a free STAPLES BizLaunch Webinar. To find one near you, please visit http://www.staples.ca/bizlaunch today. 

ROGER PIERCE is passionate about helping entrepreneurs achieve success. Co-founder of Canada’s largest small business training company, BizLaunch.ca, he’s launched eleven small businesses of his own and personally experienced what he calls “the good, the bad and the ugly” sides of entrepreneurship.

BizLaunch advises thousands of Canadian startups through its popular how-to seminars and webinars delivered with partners such as STAPLES.