When January first comes around many of us make New Year’s resolutions; lose weight, drink less, exercise more, to name a few. They share the common theme of getting healthy and in shape. As the new financial year approaches it’s a good time to make a few resolutions to get your business in shape. Consider the following suggestions:
- Time Management – The number one resolution should be to organise your time and your space. It is the first step in increasing productivity and reducing stress in your business. Use your calendar first thing each morning to plan your day.
- Review your business plan – update your goals and strategies. Make sure you keep them realistic. Remember SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time bound. Have a look at how you did over the last financial year and make plans about how you want to do this financial year.
- Delegate – if you have a team that you work with go through your list and work out who can do a job at least 80% as well as you can, and let them do it. If you are running solo consider outsourcing to a virtual PA. Remember, you don’t have to do everything and done is better than perfect.
- Increase your social media profile – schedule your updates to make sure that your presence is continuous online. Weekly blog posts, daily facebook and twitter posts and make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete and up to date. Join online groups to share your knowledge and expand your network. There are so many social media platforms now, choose your favourites and devote time and attention to them.
- Build your community – there are so many benefits to talking to other business owners face to face. They can offer you support, listen to your ideas and give you feedback, share their knowledge and experience and even assist you to grow your business by giving you referrals. Join a networking group or make sure you attend business owner events, such as the in person round table meetings with abn. Set a goal of having a number of business meetings in person each week and stick to it.
- Professional Development – Commit to enhancing your skills and knowledge. Improve your business and become the expert in your field. There are now so many courses available both online and in person it’s a very realistic goal. Do some research and include education in your plan.
- Read a Business book a month – We live in fortunate times with the amount of knowledge that is readily available. Commit to reading a business book a month and begin your list with 12 books for the year.
- Enjoy! – Remember the passion you felt for your business when you first started? Reignite that passion. Know your purpose and vision, share it with the people you work with and keep it in mind as you charge into the new financial year.
