Situation: A CEO is in the process of rebuilding the firm following a period of inactivity. Historically their marketing was word-of-mouth. How do you reestablishing a network which has been dormant for a period, find new clients and communicate an updated value proposition? How do you rebuild a company?

Advice from the CEOs:

• Track down and visit old customers and contacts. Let them know that you are rebuilding the company and ask for their advice and help.
• Use LinkedIn to find and reconnect with old contacts. Have breakfast or lunch with them, even those who are retired. Reestablish old connections and ask for an update on their companies and activities.
• Focus on your knowledge base and the results that you’ve produced historically. There are more technology choices available now than there were in the past. Help old and prospective new clients to navigate the array of choices.
• Development assessments to show your prospects where they are and where they need to focus their effort.
• Many have built companies on their own – without professional assistance. The results often look good on the surface but lack a solid foundation. You have the perspective and expertise to bring it all together in a coherent and cohesive strategy.
• Rejoin professional associations and networks that you may have dropped.
• Go virtual – use virtual assistants to manage expenses while you rebuild.
• Do webinars, and give talks on developing and executing a successful plan.
• Create some pro-bono or low-cost programs for charities. Your target is the Board Members who may become future clients.

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