Let me start by wishing you all a very Happy New Year. I hope you have a fantastic, prosperous and enjoyable 2008, I certainly hope to be doing so!! (yep that’s correct, this was first drafted in the first week of January, but I’ve only just found the time to finish it off).
As per usual at this time of the year I’ve been bombarded with adverts for joining my local gym, losing a few pounds of weight, cheap credit cards and all sorts of offers for sorting out the physical, mental and financial hangover from Christmas. This is all well and good as after all, December in London is party season and it’s fair to say my wallet, liver and rapidly growing spare tyre all took an absolute hammering.
However for us small business owners, its also a time to think about your businesses health. So without further ado, here are 5 things you can do to get your work year off to a healthy flyer:
1. Plan some yearly goals
It’s always tempting on that first day back to carry on where you left off on Christmas eve – ploughing through emails, answering customer queries etc etc. However this is probably not the best way to get back into work, after all you now have a unique opportunity to plan ahead, think about what you want to achieve with your business and set up some SMART targets (specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time bound). Build in a marketing plan around your business targets, for example if you want to grow your business, what communications vehicles can you use to support this growth?
2. Reward your team
The first few weeks back after Christmas are notorious sickie hot spots, so do what you can to ease your staff back into the world of work. Last year I wrote about rewarding your employees to stave off the January blues and I stand by my suggestions – it doesn’t have to be an overly costly experience, just a small gesture. Check this out for some ideas. Remember, people are just as important in your marketing as products, or promotions or your place of work.
3. Call you 5 most valuable accounts
Take the time in the new year to catch up with your biggest clients. They may well be knee deep in planning themselves, but a quick call to catch-up and to ask ‘what’s important for you this year?’ will stand you in good stead to ensure you are both on top of their mind and that you understand their needs well. I heard the CEO of Xerox speak last year and her words still echo in my mind:
Success is based on the value you bring to customers – they have to be the centre of your universe
4. Call any problem creditors / debtors
January is often a time of financial difficulty. This can be bad for both debtors and creditors. If you have overdue invoices call those clients and find out what’s going on. It is better to know in advance what the likelihood of you getting paid is and by when – that way you can plan your cash flow more accurately.
If you are in debt and you can see trouble in your cash flow forecast, call your creditors early. They would all prefer to get paid late than not at all and it will do you no harm to foster a good relationship.
5. Try something new
As a small business owner, you probably don’t have huge budgets for marketing communications programmes. But it’s surprising what you can achieve for relatively little. if you haven’t already, consider trying some Payper click advertising, or holding a small sales promotion, or calling your local paper to tell a journalist about some news. The key is to try something you haven’t done before and to take a multilevel approach.
I heard a Dale Carnegie presentation not so long ago and these words still make me think regularly:
If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get, what you’ve always got
Well there you go. Long overdue, but some ideas for how to move your small business ahead this year. Remember, even Richard Branson started out selling student magazines from a basement and look where he is know.
Belated Happy new year to you too, just seen your blog today. when i was searching for healthy business on google and cames out your blog these
“5 things you can do to get your work year off to a healthy flyer”
Gives me new ideas on my business
Very Interesting and helpful
Getting some rest would also help once in five years ;):P
Good tips. number 3 is a great idea.
I love that quote! It is so true! And catching up with your big clients is a great idea because it shows them that you are ready to start a great year and you aren’t wasting any time. I know I would respond positively to this tactic.
6. Be Lazy.
Only do things that really need to be done today, and leave the rest until tomorrow. Observe how much calmer you feel :)
I definetly need to work on planning more goals. Often with my business, I just go from day to day without any really direction. However when I have defined goals it has kept me on track, and allowed me to improve my business.
I think it’s particularly important during the current credit crunch to keep up with your customers receivables. It’s equally important to keep your vendors informed as it’s an incredibly difficult time right now for most.
Thanks Public Records, glad you found these ideas helpful.
Warhammer. Yes, rest is essential. I’ve been working non-stop so far this year and already I feel like a holiday is on the cards. I’m thinking Egypt. I guess this could be the same as being lazy.
Yicrosfot, iS Clinical. I’ve given this advice to several clients before and it’s always not only helped with client relationships, but led to more business.
Planning goals is essential. Think yearly, weekly and daily at the very least.
Thanks everyone for checking in. Hope you enjoy the rest of the blog.
Very important ideas and also helpful. I like the idea 4. Thank you for sharing with us.
These 5 tips will help me a lot to boost my business in this New Year. This information will really facilitate to make a Happy New Year.
Great Idea,
I agreed with you.
Thanks
Important tips especially tip #4 as for me,thanks
Business plan is needed if you want to make your business successful. Also patience and determination are needed.
Very cool – nice follow-up!! I like your all the idea. Keep posting such kind of ideas.
it’s wise to reward your team
money is what people are looking at and with proper rewards, you could go a long long way
Good tips I really like number 3 thanks for the post
I’m always trying something new (#5). Having an original idea is a whole other subject. I’m always racking my brain trying to think outside the box. One good original idea can have a good payoff.
I know I would respond positively to this tactic.
No 2 is very important. That really works nice and stable the total environment.
Planning goals is essential. Think yearly, weekly and daily at the very least.
Good tips I really like number 4 thanks for the post.
I definetly need to work on planning more goals. Often with my business, I just go from day to day without any really direction.
I’m always racking my brain trying to think outside the box. One good original idea can have a good payoff.
ya me too I like your all the idea. Keep posting such kind of ideas.
Seems its a very good idea thanks for the idea in all I like the number 4.