Football coach Tom Landry once said, “Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.”
What is the vision/goal of your company? Revisit your mission statement and follow these 10 New Year’s Resolutions for your business for 2016.
1) Update Technology
Is there an old computer that is a constant pain in the ass? Do you have a printer or copy machine that is jamming up every couple of minutes? Dump that piece of crap off at a recycling center and get yourself something new. The time, irritation, and repair costs that you are wasting are simply not worth it. Put your money and time into new electronics that can make your business run more efficiently. Check out Staples, Amazon, Quill for year end savings deals.
2) Learn About Current Technology
Are you a business that sells products? Do you use a POS system? There are so many amazing capabilities that modern apps and programs provide. Not only can you synchronize and access all of your databases from any location, but you can reach countless potential customers with these new and ever improving management tools.
3) Mix Up Your Marketing
One of my favorite quotes is, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” Try different marketing outlets and strategies to broaden your audience and to reach more potential customers. Consider looking at a marketing consultant if the budget allows for it. You have to stay ahead of the competition and stay the market leader in your niche.
4) Get Out of the Back Office
As a business owner, you may be drawn to spend your time alone in your back office attending to the nuts and bolts of your company. Once a week try to spend an hour checking in with your employees and customers during the daily interaction to ensure that the frontlines of your company are operating smoothly. You will be shocked at the things you can learn walking around for an hour here and there. The more employees see you, the more respect that you get when you need to push them for a project deadline, etc. It never hurts to get your hands dirty every once and a while as well. Learn what they are doing, show a genuine interest in what they are doing, engage them.
5) Never Stop Learning
Webinars are a quick and fun way to keep learning. Attend a conference that is local, read blogs (like this one! HA) and subscribe to industry magazines. Spend some time each month researching new strategies, tools, and some technologies.
6) Take a Break
8 in 10 employed Americans said they are stressed out on the job with heavier workloads and low pay. I’m sure that if this survey focused on small business owners, that number would increase to 10 out of 10. Just taking a walk around the building or unplugging when you get home can make all of the difference in your physical and mental health. I know that this is easier said than done but try to find that outlet. Don’t push yourself to the point of breaking down and losing it.
7) Delegate
So how in the world are you going to accomplish numbers 3, 4, and 5 when you have so much to do? Delegate. You can’t do it all, but you can train others to come along side you. You need to really focus on building that team around you, have a team you can trust and who you can rely on. Teach them, mentor them, coach them to what you need them to be. Be cautious not to micromanage them.
8) Create Achievable Goals
“I will increase my clientele by ______.” New clients are the lifeblood towards the future of your business. “I will increase sales by ____.” Striving towards a measurable goal of how much you want to increase sales gives you something to aim for plus it pushes your team towards an actual, feasible goal. This is a pretty simple formula, how can you measure them to a goal if you do not set one.
9) Social Media Savvy
Do you know how your customers are finding you, what people are saying about your business online, and are you reaching potential customers through online vehicles? Creating a strong internet presence can strengthen your company’s selling power in this ever-growing cyber age. If you are not a tech savvy person, make learning a goal but rely on your kids to show you tips and tricks, or maybe engage a younger member of your staff to show you the ropes.
10) Stay on Track!
Most people throw away their New Year’s Resolutions before they can turn their wall calendar to February. Running a business is a marathon, not a race, so each step forward counts. Creating measurable goals with reasonable timelines will keep your business moving forward.
You can make 2016 the best year yet for your business, your employees, and yourself. With a new year comes a new start, and now is the time to start planning for success! By implementing these new year’s resolutions for your business, you’ll be sure to start 2016 on the right foot. Remember we are a phone call or email away to help prepare you for the new year or to help you stay on track!