02 Oct How to Use The Power of Consistency & Tradition in Your Business
There’s a tremendous amount of power in consistency. Let’s face it, during uncertain times we’re all craving a level of consistency both personal and professionally. When things remain as they were and traditions are followed through on, we feel a sense of relief and comfort.
I know this to be true because we held a virtual VIP day back in the summer and on one of the feedback forms, a client wrote how comforting it was to attend the traditional Sigma VIP day. While it was on a new platform, it was the consistency of holding the event that made her feel at ease.
So I wonder, as we head into the last quarter of the year, if we’re being mindful of tradition and consistency with our team and clients.
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Here are 6 ways that we can be consistent for our team for the balance of the year:
1. Keep our leadership messages open, transparent and consistent
In times of crisis and change it can be tempting to keep our heads down and plug along, hustling to better the situation. We can be tempted to shelter our team from the hard truths. However, if you deliver news on a consistent basis, even if it’s not always positive news, your team will take comfort in the consistency.
2. Keep coaching and one on ones with team members a top priority
While we’re juggling COVID-related distractions and putting out fires, it can be tempting to put off coaching. Be a source of certainty for your team. If you traditionally meet once a week or once a month with each team member, ensure that you keep that up during times of unease.
3. Maintain a sense of tradition with awards and recognition
While your semi-annual or annual awards structure may have changed since March, recognition should still be a priority. Our awards changed during the month of June slightly from the year prior, but we kept the tradition of recognition alive with a fun virtual event honouring the team’s contribution to powerful change! Don’t be tempted to forgo awards because of COVID, see why here.
The worst thing that salespeople, and companies for that matter, can do is hide! Keep your team accountable for being consistent in their interactions with clients and suppliers.
4. Encourage consistency with your sales team
Yes, conversations have definitely changed since the beginning of COVID, however, there is still an infinite amount of opportunity to reconnect and re-engage with clients. A simple check-in to see how they’re coping or how business will change for them or how you can improve your service in the future are excellent reasons to stay in touch. The worst thing that salespeople, and companies for that matter, can do is hide! Keep your team accountable for being consistent in their interactions with clients and suppliers.
5. Keep in touch with suppliers
I was shocked by how many suppliers went A-wall during the first few months of COVID. We were desperate to keep in touch, to hear what was trending, how supply chains were impacted and to hear who was buying so that we could be proactive with our clients. If your suppliers aren’t reaching out to you and you have a tradition of meeting them once a month or once a quarter, take the lead to provide stability and routine for your sales team.
6. Lastly, stay consistent with your emotions
This is easier said than done and by no means am I implying that I’ve mastered this area of leadership. It’s easy to be moved by the storms of life and the curveballs of 2020! Trust me I get it. I also recognize that my team feeds off of my energy and so each day I set the intention of being consistent with my emotions and being a steady source of certainty for my team. This means being pragmatic and practical, while not blowing things out of proportion. There’s a great quote that I love, Tony Robbins reminds us “See things as they are, not worse than they are”. Remain steady.
See things as they are, not worse than they are.
Here are 3 ways that we can be consistent with our clients for the balance of the year:
1. Stay in touch whether your annual conference is happening or has been cancelled
- If your tradeshow or conference have moved to a digital space, that’s great! You’ll be in touch with clients, albeit not at the same personal level. If you always see your top clients from across the country each November and this year, you’re seeing them online, be sure to go out of your way really “WOW” them and stay in touch with a tangible memory. You’ll find great ideas at Virtual Event Swag Bags.
2. Consider the repercussions of cancelling Christmas!
If you’ve always done a fabulous gift basket or special gift for Thanksgiving or during the holidays, keep up that tradition. Yes, budgets may have been impacted and your gifts may be smaller but keep consistent with your touch points. Your clients need to know that you’re still there to serve them and if you’re one of three suppliers that they use and you’re proactively staying in touch and appreciating their past support, they will remember you when budgets return to where they were.
3. Provide a sense of hope and stability
As you and your sales team reconnect with clients, let them know your optimism for the future. Let them know your plans for growth and how you plan on either skilling up or scaling up to accommodate their future needs. People are attracted to and want to work with optimistic people and your outlook is something you absolutely have control over!
People are attracted to and want to work with optimistic people and your outlook is something you absolutely have control over!
Share how you keep consistent with your traditions!
Tradition and consistency will look different for each company. Evaluate how consistent you’ve been, where is there room for growth and how can you take charge of the fourth quarter to create a sense of stability for your clients.
If you’re staying consistent with your team or clients in other ways, please share! We would love to hear what you’re up to.
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