Happy New Year..... I hope you had a fantastic christmas whatever you did.....
Now its Jan 2009. A New Year and for many of us, new beginnings and resolutions. What are yours???
For some businesses, you will be looking forward to another great year, whilst for others the goal may be to still be in business at the end of 2009. Whatever your goals, its important to make sure you have some kind of plan in place to help you achieve them.
Here are 5 tips to help make 2009 more prosperous:
1) Set your Goals:
If you know where you want your business and to be at the end of 2009 you need to plan your journey there. By knowing where you are going and how you plan to get there, you seriously increase your probability of achieving your goals. If you don't already have one, invest in a great business coach ( if you would like a recommendation in your area email me )
2) Make the most of your marketing budget for 2009:
Put your resources into strategies that are value for money. There are endless ways to market your business from newspaper advertisements to TV campaigns, and everything inbetween. These are great for raising your business name, but what about your own profile. How do you make contact with local businesses. What business networking activities do you currently undertake to raise your visibility and build sustainable networks?
3) Take business networking SERIOUSLY:
If you are networking, are you making the most of it? Are you attending events, making the most of these, and following up with potential new contacts? If your business networking - whether online through the likes of Ecademy, linked in or Facebook, or face to face, like BNI, The business club, Chamber of Commerce or a mixture of both, is not working for you, then its likely that you are not working your networks. Dont be afraid to ask for help from the organisers and owners of these facilities. They are there to help.
4) Ask for help
Don't be afraid to ask trusted contacts for help. If you have contacts that you trust, then ask for their assistance. Can your accountant help? Your Bank? IFA or a trusted colleague. It can make a big difference just to know that you are not on your own.
5) Clear your desk.....
Not in the physical sense ( but then saying that if it needs doing......) . More in the hypothetical sense. Do you have any activities, business interests or ''clutter'', taking up ''Space'' on your desk and in your life. Prioritise your main business, and clear any un-necessary ''junk'' from your life.
Set your goals and strive towards them.... have a great 2009 and please come back for more hints and tips throughout the year.
Comments