It's that time of year again, when the diary is filling with invitations for festive celebration but your thoughts are firmly focused on bringing in business before year end. So what can you do to best ensure success and lay the foundations for a great start to 2015?

Be honest - Over the years, I've heard all sorts of reasons given by suppliers to their clients as to why they're chasing business, but the reality of life is that everybody knows December is coming. Be honest with your buyer; you're looking to close out the year on the best number you can. Your client will respect your honesty and is more likely to be upfront as to whether or not they can help you.

Know your limits - This guidance doesn't only relate to December's dietary intake, but applies equally to the parameters of any deal you want to put in place.

Is what you are offering a realistic incentive that will spur your client on without making you look desperate?
Is the deal you're proposing one that you can live with? Be sure not to give away the 'baby with the bathwater'; balance the importance of bringing business forward against the cost of giving away all your profit.

Don't compromise 2015 - So often, organisations do everything possible to bring business forward in to the current year. But ask yourself - might it not be best in the long term to 'bite the bullet' and accept that you may be just shy of this year's numbers, but that having that deal in the pipeline will put you in great shape for a healthy and profitable start to the next?

We all want a Merry Christmas and to end the year on a 'high', but remember the New Year comes fast on its tail and play it smart - this way you'll position your business for the most prosperous 2015 that it can be.