We also have to take the time to reach out to Clients and prospects we haven’t connected with in a while. Here’s a little something sobering to think about while drinking your eggnog: any Client you haven’t spoken with in six months or more may not actually be your Client anymore. If we don’t take the time to nurture our Client relationships, someone else will be more than happy to.

So forget the fruitcakes (or other only slightly more thoughtful gifts) – break out the mistletoe and get close to Clients (ok, maybe not that close). Just pick up the phone and wish them a happy holiday. Or better yet, connect with them in person. Take them out to dinner and thank them for their business. This can also be the perfect time to arrange end-of-year reviews. Talk to them about what next year may bring. If you ask the right questions and share information about how you can help them, you may even discover an opportunity to work together in the new year. What a nice present…