Moving into 2015, businesses both big and small are given a chance to reflect on their practices and make conscious efforts to change. These steps are not easy, but they are a unique opportunity to improve your business practices.
New Year’s Resolutions
You will also be able to seek out new strategies that work, pushing your organization into new directions that will grow your business in exciting ways. With these prospects in mind, here are five New Year’s Resolutions that every business should consider for 2015.
Reconnect with Old Clients
New business is great, but research shows that former clients are extremely dependable for continued sales. Make an effort to rebuild severed ties by reaching out to businesses and people you have worked with in the past. You may be surprised at how much both of you have learned in the meantime, offering the possibility of sharing resources and growing brands together.
Focus on the Positives
The economy took quite a beating several years ago. Despite sunny job reports, most sectors have never fully recovered to pre-2008 highs. There are still plenty of areas where the economy has improved by leaps and bounds.
Opportunities are found by those who know where to look. Stop dwelling on things that you wish would or could work and focus on aspects that do. Leveraging your positive assets can go a long way towards uplifting your business, both financially and spiritually.
Mingle with the Others in Your Industry
While many business owners tend to want to think of themselves as a “lone wolf,” the truth is that we are all connected by complex webs of relationships and crossover needs. Make an effort to seek out new relationships with people who work in the same industry, even your competitors. You could stand to learn a lot from other business practices, even if you decide that what you see is a “do not do” for your own purposes.
Industry events are a prime location to rub elbows with those who work in the same field as you. Promise yourself to attend at least one of these events in order to get some new perspective and make new connections in the process.
I Will Keep an Eye on My Own Books
Paperwork is usually no fun, particularly when accounting is involved. Assigning these tasks exclusively to CFOs or bookkeepers can mean that you are missing out on the intimate details of your bottom line.
Once every month or so, go out of your way to look over your balance sheets, profits and losses and cash flow statements to get a solid idea of what your business is truly up to. You may be surprised at how much insight just a few numbers can give you.
Find New Ways of Reaching People
Marketing has become a game of seeking out niches over the past couple years. Pledge to adopt new strategies that target your most reliable customer bases. You may have to take some risks and try new things, but ultimately you will be able to discover something that works.
For instance, customized direct mail can make a bold statement, especially when the envelope is custom printed with your own creative designs. Sending direct mail can be a way to create a more personal connection in this day and age of unending spam emails and social media posts. Take a look at our products page to see all the different items we have that are available for customization.
