Get an early jump on planning for '08

In exactly two months, 2008 will be here.  By then, you should have your marketing plan for the year completed and come January 2nd -- you hit the ground running. 

Would you like to know how you can significantly improve your business right out of the shoot?

If you've got it in you, here's a tough but very smart way to jump start that planning. 

Make a list of customers who were with you on January 1, 2007 but aren't still with you today. Then, swallow your pride and pick up the phone. 

If you demonstrate a little bit of humility, you'll find those former clients more than happy to share their perspective with you.

Here are some questions to ask that former client.

• What was it about our company (product or service) that made you choose to do business with us?
• Did your early experience with our company match what you expected?
• Was there a specific event or a series of events that began to make you question that decision?
• What was the final straw -- why did you decide to stop doing business with us?
• What do you wish we had done differently?
• How did we handle your departure?
• Is there anything we could do to re-earn your business?

It might not be easy to listen to but, I guarantee you -- if you do this, you will learn something significant. 

Why not take the risk and start '08 off with a burst of insight?