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You need to be aware of the seasons, even if you are not a farmer.

People are moving into their most productive stretches of the year – the quarter from post-labor day to Thanksgiving/Christmas season.

Because of culture and climate we are used to certain times of the year being related to certain activities. Summer = vacation. Fall =Thanksgiving. Winter = Christmas.

What does that have to do with tactics? Timing. Timing can be everything.

Have you been frustrated by people’s lack of involvement and interest in politics the last couple of months? Your wait is over. Most people don’t pay attention to candidates until after Labor Day (not withstanding major Presidential campaigns).

This is also the time of year to propose training in your organization and to start teaching. Why? Because people are used to going to school this time of year. Most of us did it for 12-16 of the best years of our lives.

You can fight against tradition, but you will lose. We love our traditions. That’s why they are traditions.

You might want to start thinking tactically about your timing. This is a great season to think about things you want to do in the next few months.

· Best time to solicit for charity? Thanksgiving/Christmas

· Best time to discuss goals and long term objectives? New Years.

· Best time to talk to the significant other about a TV upgrade? College Bowl and Super Bowl season.

· Best time to start talking to people about the legislative session? January

· Best time to talk about romantic stuff? Early February.

PLEASE LISTEN CAREFULLY: This does not mean you start planning when it is that season. It means that’s when you pull the trigger and start talking to your audience about it then.

Let’s get romantic for a moment, shall we?

GUYS – don’t think you can talk to your spouse about potentially romantic things to do on February 14. You need to have already planned for that in January.

However, if you sell Valentine cards, putting them on display in December is dumb. Too early. But if you order them for your store in December you are smart.

If you planning your special Valentine’s Day marketing program to attract new customers today, then you are really smart.

So your job is to look at the calendar. See what will be happening in the next few months and plan now and get ready for what you will be talking to people about in three months.