Guten Tag to Sales!
In October, the frost starts settling on the pumpkins and the air offers a refreshing cooler breeze, as the Fall season fully falls upon us. In many areas of the United States, many communities engage in the German celebration, affectionately known as “Oktoberfest”. Interestingly enough, “Oktoberfest” goes all the way back to 1810 in Munich when King Ludwig got married and invited the entire country to celebrate with dancing, horse racing, and a large community feast. “Oktoberfest” is usually celebrated throughout America in the first half of October.
But, how can a celebration like “Oktoberfest” help increase your sales efforts throughout the year?
Seasonality of Year-End Budgeting: Just like the Fall season observes a celebration of heightened camaraderie and great times with your fellow human, decision makers are celebrating nearing the end of the year and are re-examining discretionary budgets for acquiring assets or proposed solutions for their organizations. Now is the time to revisit those busy prospects who may have been interested in your product or solution earlier in the year, but because of budgeting constraints and shifting priorities earlier in the year, those prospects may be more receptive of spending those discretionary year-end dollars in your products or solutions.
Focus on the Experience and Enjoyment: In my experiences with Oktoberfest, you never meet a stranger because everyone is caught up in the moment of the festivities. Now is time to re-engage your respective sales team and take advantage of everyone’s collective attitudes to finish up Q4 strong and solid. Revitalize the spirit of teamwork and collaboration by challenging your team to dig down deep and for everyone to becoming passionate on a solid finish to the end of the year.
Boost in Year-End Revenue from Unexpected Sources: Just like Oktoberfest, huge amounts of revenue are generated for these festive celebrations from the sales of beer, pretzels, German food items, and of course, the festive German wardrobe. But, not only do the vendors of Oktoberfest benefit with increased revenues, but nearby restaurants and hotels also reap the benefits of unexpected October revenues from participants and visitors who wish to celebrate in the festival. Just like Oktoberfest, perhaps there are other areas of your organization that could benefit from collaborative selling efforts for cross-selling opportunities within your prospective customers. Now is the time to calibrate on those cross-selling opportunities to further impress your prospects with the breadth and depth of talented resources within your organization as well!
Branding Opportunities: Oktoberfest has long been regarded as a Fall celebration throughout America to celebrate camaraderie and friendship. Although “Oktoberfest” is over two hundred years old, organizers have done an exceptional job of branding the annual celebration. This is an exceptional great time of the year to brand your specific products or solutions to your prospective customers. Wouldn’t you and your sales organization embrace moving into the new year knowing that your organization’s “brand” of solutions are the first to come to the forefront of your prospective customers’ minds to help them solve their respective problems and challenges?
Subtle Networking Avenues to Increase Your Contacts: Many, many times when a community celebration like Oktoberfest takes place, most people miss the underlying opportunities available to them all within an arms reach. These opportunities can help make your face and your name recognizable to a decision maker, who may be in the market for your organization’s products and solutions. Want a way to supercharge your company’s branding and revitalize your sales opportunities? How, you may ask? One of the best ways to network is by VOLUNTEERING at local events, such as Oktoberfest. A few years ago, I volunteered to serve pretzels and mustard at a local Oktoberfest and another gentleman also worked alongside me at the pretzel booth and we had much opportunity to have conversations throughout the day and we got along famously because we laughed and enjoyed the festive atmosphere of Oktoberfest. At the end of our volunteer work shift, we exchanged business cards and I was surprised to learn that my “Pretzel Buddy” was the CEO of local business and he had written his cell phone number on the back of his business card. I immediately called him and thanked him for the contact information and we met for breakfast a few weeks later, which turned into a deep and meaningful relationship. My “Pretzel Buddy” had also invited me into to his organization to introduce me to his CFO and Director of Operations and there just happened to be a significant sales opportunity that was generated through this relationship! Volunteering and dedication to a friendship can yield high dividends for not only your organization, but can put you in the eyes of your contacts of becoming that coveted trusted advisor.
So, as Oktoberfest celebrations wrap up this week, why not take advantage of these celebrations and get involved? You never know who you may run across and have the opportunity to meet and Oktoberfest is an excellent avenue of meeting people who are in good moods and having a good time!
Guten Tag and Cheers to Your Sales Success!
