8 Reasons Why Q4 is the Toughest Quarter
There’s no such thing as an easy month in sales, and there are certainly no easy quarters. But there’s one quarter that towers above the rest when it comes to difficulty, and it’s none other than the dreaded Q4.
Once the neighborhood pool closes and the leaves start to turn, sales reps are faced with the daunting (yet exhilarating) task of getting the company across the goal line.
But this mad dash isn’t for the faint of heart. Once you’ve been through it, you’ll understand why Q4 is, by far, the toughest quarter.
1. There’s immense pressure to hit the company’s annual goals
October, November, and December are the final sprint.
2. Forecasting becomes more and more important
Better polish that crystal ball and give an accurate forecast… five times a day.
3. Everybody is getting back from their summer vacations
Upside: they look tan. Downside: they wish they were still sitting out by the pool.
4. Lots of prospects are out of the office in December
Everybody takes their vacation days, which means you go straight to voicemail.
5. For many people, the weather starts getting bad
First it’s hoodies, then it’s vests, then it’s jackets designed for scaling Mt.Everest.
6. It’s the shortest quarter (because of the holidays)
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and you better have all your deals in before that last one hits.
7. Daylight savings time can feel like a punch in the gut
Getting used to waking up in the dark usually takes most people a few weeks to get used to.
8. You have to start planning for next year
Even before the quarter is over, you’ll need to get ready to do it all over again the following year.
