Ghosts of Business Past, Present, and Future

I’m no Scrooge when it comes to the holidays by any means. But Ebenezer and I do have one thing in common; we’re both businessmen. Everybody in business has made mistakes, like Mr. Scrooge. But not everyone gets the chance to reflect on those slip-ups and rectify them.
I thought about if I was to be visited by the “Ghosts of Business Past, Present, and Future” during the holidays and what they would tell me. In an effort to save you from three horrible, see-through spirits waking you up in the middle of the night, here’s the wisdom I think they’d impart to us:
Ghost of Business Past
- Increase your marketing budget. This is something we all wish we’d considered earlier in our business endeavors. If you’ve noticed decreased demand and increased competition in this challenging year, it’s time to consider bulking up your budget. Shell out some of that spending money on social media ads, which offer low-cost and high-ROI advertising opportunities.
- Offer customers support. Whether you opt for a live chat or simply respond to issues on social media, give the people supporting your business the help they may need. Good customer service is a great start to staying off of the Naughty List.
Ghost of Business Present
- Master the power of presentation. Keep your customers intrigued and invested in what your business is bringing to the table by sharing a message through whatever is being offered.
- Update your website to improve search engine optimization (SEO). When you need something, you “Google” it. Using relevant keywords helps potential customers (and Google) find your website and then they can buy your product or service.
Ghost of Business Future
- Plan, plan, plan. Prep for possibilities later down the road by taking the time now to understand what your customers want. Stay-up-to date on what’s working and what isn’t to set your business apart and, most importantly, set yourself up for success next year. (2023 is only a few days away, by the way.)
- Have a strategy for your marketing spending next year. With so many mediums to use to connect with your customers, it’s best to plan ahead and know where your messaging will live and what it will cost. (B2B clients should spend about 4%-7% of gross receipts on marketing. B2C companies should cough up 8%-11% of revenue for marketing on average.)
MONDAY:
NEW VAN FOR VETERANS
Our friends at Liberation Veteran Services sent us some great news this week. They recently turned a big dream of theirs into a reality by getting a new passenger van, thanks to a generous grant from Pocahontas Parkway. We were so excited to hear the news, and hope to hear even more success stories from those we’ve supported. If you’d like to help them this holiday season, you can make an impact on the lives of local veterans.
TUESDAY:
SURPRISE VISIT FROM SANTA
On Tuesday, a special visitor dropped by our client Williamsburg Landing to spark some holiday cheer among their residents. Look at this sweet shot of Santa and a resident, who happened to match perfectly with his ensemble.

WEDNESDAY:
12 DAYS OF TEXAS INN
You may be familiar with The 12 Days of Christmas song, but have you heard it Texas Inn-style? That’s right – we did our own “Cheesy” rendition of the Christmas classic. If you haven’t had a listen, it’s live on our Facebook. #AllTheWay
THURSDAY:
DECK THE DOORS
With Christmas right around the corner, our clients Lucy Corr and CowanGates got into the holiday spirit as they hosted their Door Decorating contests. Congratulations to both winners who decked their doors the best. #FaLaLaLaLoveIt
FRIDAY:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
On Friday, the team wrapped up with work and said “see you later” until the new year. Thank you to our clients, media partners, vendors, and all of the other folks we’ve had the pleasure of working with during 2022. We can’t wait to see what 2023 brings for us all!
A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS
Rampart Readers — The Beauty and Wonders of Snow
Fort Monroe
Virtual Event
December 31 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Ready to listen to the story Snow by Uri Shulevitz? Learn about the beauty and wonder that snow can bring to a city with Hampton Public Library’s Children’s Librarian, Olivia Hasan. They’ll also be teaching how winter at Fort Monroe Authority affected the people who lived there throughout history. Join them for this free event on their Facebook Page!
New Year’s Eve Slumber Party
Holiday Barn Pet Resorts
Glen Allen and Midlothian Locations
December 31 | All Day
Dogs love to ring in the New Year, too! Join Holiday Barn Pet Resorts for their New Year’s Eve Slumber Party, where canine revelers will enjoy Evening Camp or Private Play, Doggie Bubbly, Doggie Caviar, and a take-home treat! Mark your calendar!
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” — Benjamin Franklin