Everyone usually starts a new year with a bunch of resolutions for themselves. Lose weight, drink more water, spend more time with friends and family, get a new job, and so on. All these amazing personal goals and I am all for it.
But what about your business?
Do you ever have New Year’s resolutions for your business?
If not, you should.
Although I’m a strong believer that you shouldn’t wait for a new year before you put new actions into place, a new year is a great motivator and we just happen to have one starting right now… So why not?
Here is what I suggest you do to start the year off strong and to make sure you grow your business this year.
You need to have an in depth look at your business so that you know where you are before you can know where you are going.
Money flow
You need to know how your money is coming in and how it is going out. Break it up into categories so you know what you are spending money on and where you can save. For example, perhaps you can get better prices for stationery, printing materials, wifi packages, bank charges, etc. Are you spending money on things you don’t really need? Are the things you’re spending money on necessary to make you money? Look at every cent that is going out. Then look at every cent that is coming in and where it comes from. Put more effort into that which is bringing you money.
Customer satisfaction
Your business won’t exist without your customers so naturally you want to keep them as happy as possible. You can find out how your customers feel about you through surveys, reviews or a simple follow up after a purchase. Speaking to your customers is the best way to find what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong. This information will help you determine what areas to focus on and what areas need improvement.
Keep track of customers
How many customers do you currently have? Do you know how many customers you get on average in a month or even a week? Keeping track of customers helps you determine if you are growing or if you are stagnant. If you find that your customer base is not growing then you need to change your game plan.
Evaluate your employees
Your employees are just as important as your customers, if not more. Doing performance reviews at least 2 to 3 times a year’s helps you determine how happy your employees are and happy employees equals happy customers. It also helps you determine whether or not they are able to complete their tasks efficiently. Both will help you identify if there are areas that need attention and where you can provide more support or training.
Competitor analysis
Who are your competitors and what are they doing? It is important to keep track of at least 5 of your competitors to see what they are doing that works and what doesn’t work. This will help you a lot to learn from their mistakes and to implement what is working. What do their websites look like? What are they doing on social media? What ads are they running? You can replace one or two of the 5 competitors with brands you admire. Watch them closely and use them as motivation.
Website results
Is your website working for you? A website is not supposed to be a pretty online picture. It should act as your hardest working employee and make you money. So analyze your website with a fine tooth comb. Where are you ranking on Google? If you’re not on the first page you don’t exist. Is your SEO strategy effective? Is your website attractive and easy to navigate? Most importantly, do you have Live Chat so that you can assist your customers no matter what time or day it is? Turn your website into a 24/7/365 well-oiled machine that makes you money and Live Chat is the perfect way to do that.
Social Media
If you’re not using social media then you’re missing out. Customers use social media to find out more about your business before they even consider buying from you. It is important to be present and active on the major platforms to build your brand credibility and build relationships with your audience. Having Live Chat on your social media helps to grow your business leads because if they send you a DM they want an answer now. Post regularly and be available.
Goals
Once you’ve evaluated your business and identified areas that need attention, you then need to look forward and develop your plan of action. Write down your business goals for the year and be realistic about it. Break it up into quarterly goals and then into monthly goals. There are no right or wrong answers for your goals so write down everything you want to achieve for your business.
Wording
When writing down your goals you very likely wrote down “I want to have xxx” or “I want to earn xxx”. This is written in future tense and indicates possibilities, not a definite outcome. So the next step is to write your goals in the present tense. For example, instead of writing “I want to have 20 new customers”, write “I have 20 new customers”. Writing it as if it is already a reality will help you take action as if you already have them which will lead to getting the result.
Plan
You have your goals and now it’s time to put a plan of action in place. For each goal write down what steps you need to take to achieve that goal. Then again break it up to make it more manageable and achievable. Then just focus on doing those steps and the result will come. Instead of focusing on the end goal, focus on being consistent with the actions that will achieve the end goal.
Implement
You have your goals. You have your game plan. Now it’s time to take action. Don’t put in all this work only to give up a few days in. Stick to the plan even on the days when it’s tough or seems hopeless. Don’t wait to feel motivated before you get it done. Even on the bad days, just do it anyway. Keep these points written down on paper and go back as many times as you need to in order to keep your mind on the right track.
IN SUMMARY
- Analyze your Business (Finances, customers, website, social media, employees)
- Set goals
- Planned action
- Implement
Make this year the best one ever, put in the work and reap the benefits. If you work hard and follow a solid game plan then it’s impossible to fail.
To add live chat to your websites, social media or what’s app, contact us and we’ll gladly discuss it further.
Have the best 2023.
