Can we all agree that it’s been an intense year? This year has brought many shifts, breakdowns, and certainly plenty of breakthroughs. In the midst of so much movement and transformation, it’s important to reflect on your business goals and check in. Ask yourself:
In these last 6 months, what worked? What didn’t work? What do I get to add?
Rather than beating yourself up for what you didn’t do, acknowledge yourself for what you did do. Reflect from a neutral perspective and see everything as an opportunity to improve or learn. Grow from your past, allow it to foster your future.
Here are 5 empowering resolutions to consider as you keep building your business:
- Learn how to delegate and do it accordingly.
Being an entrepreneur can be exhausting and time-consuming. It’s easy to get caught in the belief that, “I have to do it all by myself.” Delegation is the key to a healthy work-life balance. Consider outsourcing the tasks you don’t desire to do. Whether you bring on an intern from a local university or you hire an employee – make sure they are trained enough, to the point where they can take over some of your tasks. The next step is to clearly communicate the objectives and deadlines, so that you don’t end up micromanaging.
- Manage your cash flow more efficiently.
This is a great resolution for small business owners who have drastic ebbs and flows in their cash flow. Learn to understand your cash flow and manage it. What are your busy months and your slow months? Budget accordingly and ahead of time. Strategize around the ebbs and flow of your business.
- Take steps to improve your digital presence.
If you haven’t taken action to make your online presence mobile-friendly or if digital isn’t part of your marketing strategy at all, it’s time to add this to your business resolutions. Your online presence is how you begin to connect with potential clients and audiences. This is an effective way to build your client base and grow your business.
- Schedule weekly time for business strategizing.
Planning is vital if you want to foster a growing business. But running a small business can be chaotic and it’s easy to get sucked into the day-to-day humdrum. Business strategizing allows you to take a step back and highlight what worked and what didn’t work. It also allows you to adjust goals and set new ones. Set aside time each week to review your strategies. This will help you stay on track and allow you to have a clear hold on your business.
- Promote your business regularly and consistently.
Since small business owners wear a lot of hats, you might not always have “marketing” at the top of your to-do list. To attract new clients, though, you have to make promotion a priority. Take the time to create a marketing plan or, even your funds allow it, hire a marketing expert to help you set it up.
–
Wherever you’re at in your business, begin practicing some of these resolutions and see what impact they have on your business. If they’re effective, keep practicing them. Find what works for you and remain committed.
Happy reflecting, everyone! And, as always, if you need any added support or guidance, we are always here to help. You can reach us at [email protected].
In Gratitude,
Lin Brown, Founder of Spire Business
