The 10 Best Business “New Year’s Resolutions” for a Successful 2011
With 2010 quickly coming to an end, I started thinking about New Year’s Resolutions and what business owners and entrepreneurs can resolve to do more of (or perhaps less of!) to be more successful in 2011.
In that spirit, I decided to call on my respected network of experts and entrepreneurs to find out their best pieces of “New Year’s Resolution” business advice. Their answers are presented below in no particular order.
You may notice some similar pieces of advice, but I kept the insights separate, as something in the way one is framed may resonate differently with you.
In that spirit, I decided to call on my respected network of experts and entrepreneurs to find out their best pieces of “New Year’s Resolution” business advice. Their answers are presented below in no particular order.
You may notice some similar pieces of advice, but I kept the insights separate, as something in the way one is framed may resonate differently with you.
1. Don't Be Afraid to Reinvent!
Turn off the voice mail! In fact, if voice-mail is on during the day, you have not only failed your customers, but you've failed in that chance to make a good first impression. What does it cost to roll your phones over to a LIVE PERSON? The chance to succeed or fail. Not worth it you say? Try the experiment and see what a smile will bring you.
Thanks to: Warren Bobrow of Wild River Review.
2. Let Go of the Lookie- Loos
Getting for new sales is expensive. Fill your funnel with people that will actually buy from you. Have you been working on prospects that no longer return your phone calls or emails? Cut them from your hot list and put them back into your marketing funnel to be contacted at a much later date. Only call on prospects where you know: a) the pain you solve for them b) their budget and c) who can make the buy decision.
Thanks to: Barry Moltz of Shafran Moltz Group.
3. Mompreneur & Time Management
I run my business out of my house and I have 3 kids, so distractions are constant. My New Year’s Resolution advice is to manage time better so that I can get business tasks done during the day and be more productive in general. I often get caught up on the computer, running errands and procrastination and then find myself scrambling to get work done. I want to put in place a very strict schedule to increase work productivity.
Thanks to: Sheena Edwards of Lizzie Lou Shoes.
4. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify!
Your best resolution for your business is to think small! And by that I mean to find where you can simplify your business and administrative processes. Find opportunities to make less truly mean more for you - more time, more strategic planning, more networking, more getting out and getting your business known, more life for you and your loved ones. Find what it is you are still doing that you don't need to be. SIMPLIFY! Make it your 2011 cheer and watch you AND your business benefit!
Thanks to: Cathleen O'Connor of The Balance Whisperer
5. Focus Your Time on Making $$
The number 1 area that you should improve in 2011 is to be wiser at how you spend your time. Stop doing busy work that does not generate income (checking email 25 times a day, playing on Twitter and Facebook) and focus your time on activities that generate income and growth for your company. This means delegating non-income producing work to other employees (or outsourced contractors) and focusing your time on activities that will grow your company--publicity, marketing, and sales.
Thanks to: Peter Geisheker of The Geisheker Group Marketing Firm
6. Work ON Not IN Your Business!
Every entrepreneur needs to focus attention on the big picture of the business in order to successfully grow. During difficult economic times, the urge to get back in the business rather than work on the business is powerful. But thriving businesses are sustained when the owner drives the direction of the business with a delicate hand that allows for flexibility and transformation. Start the New Year off with a new passion for growth!
Thanks to: Vicki Donlan of VickiDonlan.
7. Create a 1 Page Strategic Plan
Spend 20 minutes (no more!) planning your year using the One Page Strategic Plan and look at it every single day. Put the plan somewhere you have to physically touch it each day. One client of mine puts it on the toilet lid and calls it her "can plan".
That one sheet of paper will keep you focused on the important things and away from the distractions.
You can get a completely free copy (no registration necessary) at the website.
Thanks to: Laura Posey of Dancing Elephants Achievement Group.
8. Have to Get to Want To
Why did we all go into business for ourselves? To make more money, control our destiny and make our own decisions? Those are common answers however; most people have in mind a lot of other things such as travel, freedom and lifestyle. The business model that you use is the vehicle to many of the things that you want, but there is a necessary price or "Have To's” that religiously need to be committed to be successful. They are business basics, many of the things we push off that hold us back. Commit!
Thanks to: Alan Ginsberg of The Entrepreneur's Source.
9. Resolve Not - Smile More
It doesn't help to have resolutions when you are stressed over keeping them. Instead, resolve to take a walk when stressed at work, rather than playing computer games. A quick walk will help you smile and people will think you're on top of your game!
What you can resolve to do is, get back to people when you say you will; follow up with people when a project is due; always keep your boss informed as to your progress on projects by emailing him/her, every day or two. And always say Thank You!
Thanks to: Sheila G. McCurdy of clutter STOP.
10. Cut Your "To Do" List in Half
Each year, we get side-tracked with unimportant tasks that keep us from doing our job—generating revenue. I recommend you reach for a pad of yellow Post-It notes. On 10 labels, print your revenue target for 2011. Now stick them all over your work area. Every time you look at any of those labels, ask yourself, "Is what I’m doing now directly contributing to the achievement of this goal?" If the answer is “No,” stop what you’re doing and start doing something that will drive sales.
Thanks to: Bill Todd of Immediate Impact Sales Training .
Turn off the voice mail! In fact, if voice-mail is on during the day, you have not only failed your customers, but you've failed in that chance to make a good first impression. What does it cost to roll your phones over to a LIVE PERSON? The chance to succeed or fail. Not worth it you say? Try the experiment and see what a smile will bring you.
Thanks to: Warren Bobrow of Wild River Review.
2. Let Go of the Lookie- Loos
Getting for new sales is expensive. Fill your funnel with people that will actually buy from you. Have you been working on prospects that no longer return your phone calls or emails? Cut them from your hot list and put them back into your marketing funnel to be contacted at a much later date. Only call on prospects where you know: a) the pain you solve for them b) their budget and c) who can make the buy decision.
Thanks to: Barry Moltz of Shafran Moltz Group.
3. Mompreneur & Time Management
I run my business out of my house and I have 3 kids, so distractions are constant. My New Year’s Resolution advice is to manage time better so that I can get business tasks done during the day and be more productive in general. I often get caught up on the computer, running errands and procrastination and then find myself scrambling to get work done. I want to put in place a very strict schedule to increase work productivity.
Thanks to: Sheena Edwards of Lizzie Lou Shoes.
4. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify!
Your best resolution for your business is to think small! And by that I mean to find where you can simplify your business and administrative processes. Find opportunities to make less truly mean more for you - more time, more strategic planning, more networking, more getting out and getting your business known, more life for you and your loved ones. Find what it is you are still doing that you don't need to be. SIMPLIFY! Make it your 2011 cheer and watch you AND your business benefit!
Thanks to: Cathleen O'Connor of The Balance Whisperer
5. Focus Your Time on Making $$
The number 1 area that you should improve in 2011 is to be wiser at how you spend your time. Stop doing busy work that does not generate income (checking email 25 times a day, playing on Twitter and Facebook) and focus your time on activities that generate income and growth for your company. This means delegating non-income producing work to other employees (or outsourced contractors) and focusing your time on activities that will grow your company--publicity, marketing, and sales.
Thanks to: Peter Geisheker of The Geisheker Group Marketing Firm
6. Work ON Not IN Your Business!
Every entrepreneur needs to focus attention on the big picture of the business in order to successfully grow. During difficult economic times, the urge to get back in the business rather than work on the business is powerful. But thriving businesses are sustained when the owner drives the direction of the business with a delicate hand that allows for flexibility and transformation. Start the New Year off with a new passion for growth!
Thanks to: Vicki Donlan of VickiDonlan.
7. Create a 1 Page Strategic Plan
Spend 20 minutes (no more!) planning your year using the One Page Strategic Plan and look at it every single day. Put the plan somewhere you have to physically touch it each day. One client of mine puts it on the toilet lid and calls it her "can plan".
That one sheet of paper will keep you focused on the important things and away from the distractions.
You can get a completely free copy (no registration necessary) at the website.
Thanks to: Laura Posey of Dancing Elephants Achievement Group.
8. Have to Get to Want To
Why did we all go into business for ourselves? To make more money, control our destiny and make our own decisions? Those are common answers however; most people have in mind a lot of other things such as travel, freedom and lifestyle. The business model that you use is the vehicle to many of the things that you want, but there is a necessary price or "Have To's” that religiously need to be committed to be successful. They are business basics, many of the things we push off that hold us back. Commit!
Thanks to: Alan Ginsberg of The Entrepreneur's Source.
9. Resolve Not - Smile More
It doesn't help to have resolutions when you are stressed over keeping them. Instead, resolve to take a walk when stressed at work, rather than playing computer games. A quick walk will help you smile and people will think you're on top of your game!
What you can resolve to do is, get back to people when you say you will; follow up with people when a project is due; always keep your boss informed as to your progress on projects by emailing him/her, every day or two. And always say Thank You!
Thanks to: Sheila G. McCurdy of clutter STOP.
10. Cut Your "To Do" List in Half
Each year, we get side-tracked with unimportant tasks that keep us from doing our job—generating revenue. I recommend you reach for a pad of yellow Post-It notes. On 10 labels, print your revenue target for 2011. Now stick them all over your work area. Every time you look at any of those labels, ask yourself, "Is what I’m doing now directly contributing to the achievement of this goal?" If the answer is “No,” stop what you’re doing and start doing something that will drive sales.
Thanks to: Bill Todd of Immediate Impact Sales Training .
No comments:
Post a Comment