Struggling to get back into the sales groove after the holiday break? In this post, we’ll walk you through seven actionable steps—complete with specific tips and strategies—to get your pipeline in shape, set attainable goals, collaborate with your team, and hit the ground running for a successful 2025.
1. Update and Review Your Pipeline
Why It Matters
Jumping back in with a clear understanding of where each deal stands helps you prioritize your efforts and avoid letting any hot opportunities go cold.
Step-by-Step Actions
- Check Your CRM on Day 1
- Action: Filter deals scheduled to close in the next 30 days (or Q1). Or just Ask Tenali and Tenali will filter the deals for you and get you the deals set to close in the 30 days.
- Action: Identify any overdue tasks from the holiday period—such as follow-up emails or calls that might have been missed.
- Tip: If your CRM allows, sort deals by stage and priority to see which ones need immediate attention. Or just Ask Tenali "What deals are set to close this week?"
- Revisit Existing Deals
- Action: For each deal, note the last interaction date and the agreed next step. Or just Ask Tenali to fetch the details for you so you can follow up on the next step.
- Action: If you’re missing updates on a deal that was supposed to move forward in December, send a brief, friendly email or call to re-establish contact (e.g., “Happy New Year! Hope you had a great break. Let’s pick up where we left off…”). If you do not want to go generate the email, just Ask Tenali and it will do it for you.
- Tip: Include a simple question that encourages a reply—such as asking whether their needs or timelines have changed for 2025. Instead of revisit every old meetings one by one, you can just Ask Tenali and Tenali will fetch the details for you. If you want to get a step further, just ask Tenali to draft an email for you.
- Set Priorities
- Action: Group your deals by potential revenue, stage in the funnel, and upcoming deadlines.
- Action: Block off time on your calendar for immediate outreach to the highest-impact deals (e.g., those closest to closing or generating significant revenue).
- Tip: Instead of wasting time and going through the hassle of searching, clicking so many buttons, you can just Ask Tenali about your pipeline and it will fetch all the details for you.
2. Reconnect With Prospects and Clients
Why It Matters
A friendly check-in shows you value the relationship and gives you a chance to gauge whether their priorities shifted over the holidays.
Step-by-Step Actions
- Send Personal Check-Ins
- Action: Draft a short, personalized email or LinkedIn message for each prospect. Mention something you remember from your last conversation (e.g., a product demo date, a challenge they were facing, or a holiday plan they mentioned).
- Tip: End with a question that prompts them to respond, like, “How are you tackling [X priority] this quarter?” If you are having writers block, prompt Tenali to write an email for you and voila!
- Focus on Immediate Value
- Action: Before each call or email, jot down one relevant insight or resource you can share (e.g., a new product feature, a relevant case study, or an industry trend for 2025). If you have forgot what was discussed on the prior calls, and do not want to go through call by call, just Ask Tenali what was discussed in prior meetings and you will be all caught up.
- Tip: If your organization has new pricing or product updates, highlight how it might solve a recently discussed pain point.
3. Clean Up and Organize Your CRM
Why It Matters
A tidy CRM ensures you’re not missing any leads, helps you stay organized, and makes it easier for you—and anyone else on your team—to see real-time updates on every deal.
Step-by-Step Actions
- Update Records
- Action: Dedicate a block of time (1–2 hours) during your first week to clean up contact information, status updates, and important notes for each deal.
- Tip: If you can’t do it all at once, break it into smaller tasks by funnel stage or account size.
- Review Key Metrics
- Action: Look at last year’s close rate, average deal size, and time-to-close metrics. Compare them to your current pipeline to see if you’re on track for your 2025 targets.
- Tip: Set a reminder in your calendar to do this review weekly or bi-weekly so you can spot trends early and make adjustments.
4. Set Clear Goals and Action Plans
Why It Matters
Goals guide your daily activities. SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) ensure you stay focused and motivated.
Short-Term Milestones (Using SMART Goals)
- Define Specific Targets
- Action: Identify exact metrics for Q1 (e.g., “Close $100,000 in new business by the end of March” or “Book 20 qualified demos by the end of January”).
- Tip: Write these down somewhere visible (e.g., a whiteboard by your desk) so you’re reminded daily.
- Break It Down
- Action: Convert each quarterly target into weekly or monthly “micro-goals” (e.g., “Make 10 new prospecting calls per day,” “Secure 5 new demos a week”).
- Tip: Use a spreadsheet or a project management tool (e.g., Trello, Asana) to track progress and visually see if you’re on pace.
Personal Development Goals
- Reflect on the Past Year
- Action: List your biggest wins and toughest challenges from 2024. Identify skill gaps or bottlenecks (e.g., negotiation, product knowledge, time management).
- Tip: Ask a mentor or manager for feedback on areas where you could improve.
- Plan for a Fantastic 2025
- Action: Choose one to two personal development objectives and map out a schedule to achieve them (e.g., enroll in a negotiation course, block time weekly for product training).
- Tip: Create milestones for Q1, Q2, etc. Check in monthly to gauge your improvement.
5. Leverage Internal Resources and Align With Your Team
Why It Matters
Sales is a team sport. Sharing information and using internal support can shorten your sales cycle and help you close more deals.
Step-by-Step Actions
- Check In With Managers and Teammates
- Action: Organize a quick “welcome back” huddle or virtual chat if you’re remote. Confirm any new pricing, product features, or promotions available for Q1.
- Tip: Ask if there are any leads that came in during the holidays so you can follow up quickly.
- Collaborate on Strategies
- Action: Share one success story from last year that might help others (e.g., a special pitch, a case study that resonated, or a new demo format).
- Tip: Encourage your teammates to do the same and keep a shared folder or channel (e.g., Slack, Teams) with updated pitches and success stories.
6. Plan Your Week Strategically
Why It Matters
Time blocking and purposeful scheduling keep you in control of your day, preventing administrative tasks from eating into prime selling hours.
Step-by-Step Actions
- Time-Block High-Impact Activities
- Action: Reserve specific windows for prospecting calls (e.g., 9–11 AM), proposal follow-ups (1–2 PM), and pipeline analysis (4–4:30 PM).
- Tip: Use an online calendar that auto-schedules your tasks. Treat these blocks like important meetings—don’t skip them.
- Maintain Momentum
- Action: For deals that were close to closing in December, schedule calls by mid-week to confirm next steps.
- Tip: If a prospect is unresponsive, send a brief, polite “touching base” email. If you still get no answer, try a quick phone call or voicemail to show persistence without pestering.
7. Take Care of Your Personal Well-Being
Why It Matters
Coming back from the holidays can be jarring. A balanced approach keeps you energized, productive, and mentally ready to tackle your goals.
Step-by-Step Actions
- Beat the Post-Holiday Slump
- Action: Ease into your schedule by setting clear work hours and planning short, energizing breaks.
- Tip: Try using a technique like the Pomodoro Method (25 minutes focused work, 5 minutes rest) to stay fresh.
- Reflect and Recharge
- Action: Spend 5–10 minutes at the end of each workday jotting down what went well, what didn’t, and what you’ll do differently tomorrow.
- Tip: Celebrate small wins—closing a tiny deal or booking a single demo can boost motivation and prevent burnout.
Putting It All Together
By following these specific, actionable steps—cleaning up your pipeline, reconnecting with prospects in a personal yet focused way, setting and tracking SMART goals, coordinating with your team, and taking care of yourself—you’ll maximize your first week back in the office and set a strong foundation for 2025.
Remember: Consistency is key. Checking your progress daily, celebrating small wins, and continuously refining your approach will help you maintain momentum all year long.
Sources:
- HubSpot Sales Blog
- Salesforce Blog
- Gong Blog
- Topics Consulted: Data-backed insights on effective sales outreach, post-holiday prospecting tips, and time management for sales reps.
- https://www.gong.io/blog/
- LinkedIn Sales Solutions
- Tenali AI
