For many service-based businesses, the period between Labor Day and the holiday season is one of the most critical times of the year. During this unique window of time, clients are still saying “yes” to projects, the weather is still cooperating, and budgets are still open.
But, as soon as November hits, focus shifts. Many people will be more worried about turkeys, family gatherings, travel, and shopping lists than hiring for new projects.
That’s why this season isn’t the time to coast; it’s the time to double down and lock in. Businesses that finish strong in Q4 don’t just hit their goals. They enter the new year with momentum that carries them further, faster.
So, how do you make sure you close out 2025 on a high note and step into 2026 ready to win? At Growth Team Strategies, we coach businesses through this exact season every year, and we have a handful of proven strategies to help you finish big and start strong.
1. Sharpen the Message and Target the Right Audience
Your marketing shouldn’t be a billboard for “anyone who needs work done.” It should feel like a spotlight, aimed right at your ideal customer.
Ask yourself:
- Who are the clients I most want to work with?
- What projects are they saying yes to right now?
- What messaging will make them feel like I get them?
Dial in your marketing so it speaks directly to that demographic. The right message to the right audience will generate the leads you actually want to target. This means fewer price shoppers, more qualified buyers, and projects that are truly worth your time (especially during such a critical period).
2. Don’t Let Prospects Stall Out
At this time of the year, speed matters. Every lead in your pipeline should either be saying yes or moving out of the way.
That means:
- Booking the next step before leaving the current meeting
- Following up fast; don’t let days or weeks slip away
- Staying visible to referral sources and past clients
Too often, the middle of the funnel is where deals go quiet. If you’re proactive, you’ll either close the deal or get a clear no. Both outcomes are better than having a prospect stuck in limbo, taking time from clients who are ready to move forward.
3. Streamline Pre-Production
Closing the deal is the starting gun, not the finish line. Ordering materials, lining up schedules, and having clear plans in place will make or break your momentum.
Here’s the truth: Every week you shave off pre-production is a week you gain in profitability.
When jobs move smoothly into production:
- Customers stay excited, instead of becoming frustrated or anxious
- Projects finish faster
- Revenue flows sooner
Yes, delays happen. Weather, supply hiccups, and unpredictability once the project gets started are all part of the game. Too often, though, downtime is a result of issues that could have been prevented earlier on in the project. Tighten this process now, and it pays off big in Q4 and beyond.
4. Manage Projects Like a Pro
Once a job is in production, discipline is everything. Every day a project drags past the deadline is a day that costs (and frustrations) go up and profits go down. Worse still, you can’t successfully start the next project if you’re still tied up in the current one.
The businesses that thrive are the ones that:
- Stick to schedules
- Anticipate challenges before they blow up
- Keep the team and the customer in the loop, every step of the way
Clients notice when you run a tight ship. It builds trust, keeps morale high, and protects your bottom line.
5. Trim the Fat on Costs
If you want to finish the year profitable, you can’t ignore expenses. Q4 is the perfect time to pull up the books and ask, “Do we really need this?”
Here are some areas to consider:
- Old subscriptions nobody uses? Cut them.
- Vendor contracts that could be renegotiated? Do it.
- Overhead creeping up? Find efficiencies.
Even smaller savings stack up. More importantly, they free up cashflow for the projects and investments that really matter.
6. Build Your Team Now, Not Later
Your people are your business, and right now, before the spring rush, is the perfect time to hire, train, and invest in them.
Ask yourself:
- Who/what do we need on the team before 2026?
- What training would make us stronger?
- Do our employees feel like they have a future here?
Turnover is expensive, but it also kills momentum. Show your team you’re invested in their growth, and you’ll start 2026 with loyal, motivated, and skilled people ready to deliver.
7. Create Accountability
Even the best strategies fail without follow-through. That’s where accountability comes in.
Whether it’s your leadership team, a peer group, or a business coach, find people who will hold your feet to the fire. Sometimes the simple act of working with someone who will ask “Did you do it?” makes all the difference.
Final Takeaway: Don’t Coast
If we can impart one final piece of wisdom, let it be this: This time of year is where the gap widens between businesses that grow and businesses that grind. Businesses that finish big don’t just stumble into it. They’re intentional; they sharpen their marketing, keep their pipeline moving, streamline operations, control costs, invest in their people, and build accountability into their plans.
This year, don’t coast into the holidays. Finish 2025 strong, and set yourself up to sprint into 2026. And, if you want a partner in building that momentum, that’s what we do at Growth Team Strategies. Set up a consultation with us here. We’re ready to help.
