With the holidays just around the corner, many of us ponder how we will be able to stay on pace with our production goals AND participate in holiday festivities. Who wants to think of shopping, cooking, house guests, decorating, and entertaining when you’re already maxed out! Well, don’t think of it as more work. Look at the season with a pair of fresh eyes. Take advantage of the holiday season to rejuvenate your body and mind in preparation for a dynamic new year. Here are a few tips from our team to help you enjoy this holiday season to the fullest:
1. IDENTIFY YOUR MOST PRESSING PROJECTS and map out a strategy for completing them. Stay abreast of the availability of key players and decision makers. If your loan file requires an exception or needs to be expedited, review it with the proper authority before their vacation begins. Remember, people sometimes leave the job mentally and emotionally long before a physical departure so get your bid in early. Delegate what you can. Ask for help if you need it. Focus on your priorities and eliminate as many unnecessary tasks as possible.
2. FIND OUT EARLY IF YOU WILL NEED TO MANAGE ANOTHER TEAM MEMBER'S PIPELINE during the holidays. Don’t let this get dropped in your lap. Keep your eyes and ears open. Don’t hesitate to initiate a conversation about how coverage for time-off is handled if someone else doesn’t bring it up. If you are the designee, meet with your team member to discuss file details and an action plan. Make sure customer inquiries are routed correctly and file issues are addressed promptly.
3. SHOP DURING OFF-PEAK HOURS OR MAKE YOUR PURCHASES ONLINE. Many retailers open earlier between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Check their website or phone to see just how early the doors open. Many retailers offer the same deal online and often with free shipping. Look for ways to save time and minimize stress. Ask a family member pick up an item you’ve selected for a friend or vice versa. Gift cards and movie tickets work well when you can’t figure out what gift to give. If you need to ship packages make sure you send them out by the posted deadline.
4. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK DURING HOLIDAY PARTIES. Don’t be shy. Introduce yourself to that person you speak to on the phone regularly. Now you both can put a name with a face. Offer compliments and encouraging feedback to others. Accept compliments with a positive statement such as “Thank you for noticing...customer satisfaction is really important to me” rather than “Oh, it was nothing”.
5. THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS A PERFECT TIME TO MARKET YOUR SERVICES to past clients, friends, and family. Make it easy by creating or ordering holiday cards or gifts that include your contact information. You can express appreciation for continued support and introduce a new product or service all with the same item. Letters that include a few personal tidbits about this year’s success and challenges are great. It helps others to view you as a “regular” person.
With a little planning and preparation, you can have the best holiday season ever.
