This post is by Jeff Esposito, Vistaprint’s Social Media Manager.
Toward the end of a calendar year, many people set up resolutions that they plan on keeping in the New Year to help better themselves. If you are like me, you probably know that pacts to go to the gym, take up judo, eat fewer cookies or spend less time online are destined to fail. The reason for this is that while these resolutions sound great on New Year’s Eve, they have nothing firm tying you to them.
Recently, I’ve been chatting about the resolution conundrum with friends (many of whom own their own businesses), and I have a new perspective on resolutions – make them professionally driven. This mindset really makes you put the goal for the New Year into perspective, as it can help make your business more successful in the coming year. Below are four areas where we think you might be able to pull out a resolution to stick to for 2013.
Audit Time
Now before you go jumping off the fiscal cliff, we’re not talking about the IRS here. Instead, we’re talking about taking a step back and taking an honest look at your business. Taking an in-depth look at all areas of your business can help you identify things that you are doing well and others that you can improve upon. This process will also enable you to determine areas of improving and streamlining your business.
Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone
What is one thing that you wish that you could do with your business, but are scared to? This can be anything from marketing, to adding a new line of services. While it might make your stomach queasy, think about what this new something could mean for your business. There is a lot that can be said about staying within your comfort zone, but if you don’t challenge yourself a bit, how can you grow?
Simplify Things
Are you making your business over-complicated? This may sounds silly, but if you think about it, there are probably some things that you are focusing on too much, and over thinking. Keeping it simple will not only save you time, but it can also save some of your sanity. This can be applied to any area of your business from marketing to invoicing.
Create A Calendar
Schedules make it easy for us to find our favorite TV shows and navigate through a day. While it might take time to set up, laying things out in advance helps drive efficiency. One area where a calendar of events is overlooked is in marketing. As a small business owner, time is money, so why not lay out your marketing plans on a seasonal basis with set dates to deliver or execute on certain marketing initiatives?
Have you laid out your New Year’s resolutions yet? We’ll have four more resolutions for you and your small business next week, from ChamberofCommerce.com!
Good article! Make sure to get our FREE DOWNLOAD: Marketing EBook on Small Business Marketing!