Starting the Year off Right

This time last year, business owners around the world focused on how this next year could become a success and how they would meet their goals. As you reflect on the last year, how did you do? Did you meet the goals you had set a year ago? What can you do differently in 2014? I have a great feeling about this next year and it will be a fantastic year for the small business market, technology, content marketing, collaboration and new innovation in the future of business. As you prepare for the New Year, I would like to focus on tips that can lead you to more success.

• It’s too easy to get sidetracked with daily business tasks. Make a new effort to connect with your clients more often and build a relationship. Understand who your customers are, make them happy and allow them to connect to your mission. Ask them how they’re doing. Ask them how they would rate you in 2013 and how you can do better.
• Analyze your costs & profits. Did you meet the profit margins you expected? Seek where in your business you can use your money more wisely. Use this data to better manage your business.
• Educate yourself! How many books did you read this year? Did you attend any free webinars or take an e-course? Education is one of the keys to your business growth this next year. I have a friend who tries to read a book a week! Isn’t that just amazing? Sometimes I will play audiobooks while I work and take notes during the day so I can apply what I read to my business immediately.
• Do a SWOT Analysis of your company. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats. Figure out how you can work on each area in this next year. Last year I realized the needed to build a team to hand tasks down to and once I did, I had freedom and more focus. It was worth it! It was once before a weakness and now my team is a strength! 
  
• Start a collaboration! Collaborate with other business minded people in your area in a weekly mastermind group or an online collaboration group that can help you to blog better and share your message online. In my latest business podcast episode, we talked about online mastermind groups and how they will help you grow!
• Write down your goals! Tell your friends & family your goals. This creates accountability and you’ll think about them every day. Don’t call them “Resolutions” because after the first month you might stop them. Put them on your fridge!
• Build a new website! Focus on new branding that is more focused on your customers and your goals for your business. Our Nashville website design team offer design services to small business owners to help you grow your business! Contact us today!

Every year, I look at these areas in my business and focus on where I can grow. If you focus on growth and improve your weakness into strengths, you will grow your profit and have a healthier life and business. When you have a better business, you can help others around you. It all connects!

How are you starting your year off right? Let me know in the comments below!