For many people, the New Year’s resolutions you were so set on January 1st are beginning to fade. The gyms are already less crowded, and you find yourself swiping that credit card more than you should.
If you are a small business owner, here are three essential New Year’s resolutions you shouldn’t give up on:
1. Focus on the big picture
As a small business owner or manager, it’s easy to get bogged down in the day to day details of running your business. When you run a small business and are in charge of payroll, or office supplies, you might lose sight of the larger goals of the company, and only focus on one day to the next.
Use last year’s metrics to identify short term and long term goals for 2014. Identify the necessary steps to meet those goals, and a suitable timeline for achieving them. Don’t get overwhelmed if things don’t always go according to plan—reevaluate the steps and timeline as appropriate.
2. Make customer service a priority
Without happy customers, you have no business. Repeat that. Not everyone you come across in the business world—or in everyday life for that matter—is going to be easy to pleasant to deal with. But it’s important to retain the perspective that whoever is buying your product or using your service is keeping the business afloat, paying your bills, and ultimately providing your livelihood. Go out of your way to engage your customers and develop relationships rather than treat their business as transactions.
3. Increase efficiency and productivity
Between multiple email accounts, social media platforms, and mobile technology, it’s no wonder we all tend to be distracted by the very technology meant to increase our productivity. Beware of your technology habits- keep the good and ditch the bad.
Manage your time. If you have tasks that you always put off, aren’t good at, or just hate doing, delegate when possible. Plan your schedule at the beginning of the week, setting aside chunks of time devoted to various projects or goals.
With some focus and planning, you can make this your best year yet. Best of luck to your business in 2014!
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