Ever considered making new year resolutions before the new year is actually here? Thinking through new goals for your business even before your timeline to implement them, can give you a leg up. Having a plan ahead of time, will create an energy from your team and help give clear direction when January rolls around. To help get the wheels turning, we've put together 10 resolutions that are worth keeping.
1. Improve Your Digital Presence
Take some time looking at your digital presence and how it is affecting your business. Chances are there are some simple changes you can make to improve your search ranking and even your digital marketing. Here are some questions to ask yourself while you are analyzing your digital strategy:
- Am I creating good content consistently?
- Is my content appropriate for the medium on which I am sharing it?
- Am I interacting with my followers regularly?
- How is my website’s user experience?
- Does my logo/website look dated or “old”?
Outline the changes you want to make in 2020, and most importantly, stick to your plan. Increasing your digital presence is becoming more and more important, as it is more versatile, wide-reaching, and cost-efficient than many traditional marketing tactics.
2. Charge What You’re Worth
It can be difficult to look at what you’re charging for your services from an objective standpoint. It is too easy to fall into the trap of undercharging because you think you can’t charge as much as the other guys or that consumers won’t be willing to pay as much. However, your competitors are charging what they are because the market has shown that consumers are willing to pay that. Charging too low could lead many consumers to perceive that you are not as good as your competition because you charge less. Take a step back this year and really consider what you should be charging, and make changes as needed.
3. Start Delegating Effectively
One of the worst things we can do is try to do everything ourselves. Wearing too many hats not only means that you won’t be able to pay enough attention to each task, but also means that you will burn out more quickly, which we definitely don’t want. Work on delegating some of your responsibilities to your employees or hiring new employees to take on those responsibilities. If you plan on growing your business in 2020, this is absolutely a must.
4. Use Effective Communication
Are you listening and communicating as effectively as you could be? Take some time to think about how you are relaying information to your peers and subordinates, and look for areas where you can improve. If you find yourself having to repeat yourself frequently, rewording instructions constantly, or having trouble keeping employee morale high, it may be time to work on your interpersonal communication skills.
5. Drop What’s Not Working
Take a step back and really evaluate your projects and think about what is and isn’t working. It might be time to sever ties to projects that are hemorrhaging money and time for your company that could go to more worthwhile endeavors.
6. Replace Your Outdated Tech
If your company relies on any sort of technology for its day-to-day operations, it may be time to look at some much needed upgrades. Here are some signs that you may need to upgrade your tech:
- Increased downtime. Do you find that your employees or customers are waiting longer than they need to for simple and/or frequent processes? 2020 could be the year that you need to consider upgrading to faster and more consistent tech to save the frustration for both employees and customers.
- Changing/evolving needs. Is your business growing quickly or expanding into new territories? It could be time to evaluate your technologies and make sure they are effectively meeting your needs. Think about how upgrading your CRM system or purchasing new printers for the office to improve your business efficiency.
- Frequent support calls. If you find yourself calling tech support every other week, not only is that frustrating and time consuming, but it’s also costly. If you’re spending more on maintenance than the machine itself, it might be time to look into an alternative.
7. Learn Something New Every Day
This one seems a bit daunting at first glance, but is easier (and more important) than you might think. Try starting a journal (physical or electronic) and at the end of each day, write down at least one new thing you learned. There’s so many ways you can learn something new, so you’ll easily surpass this goal.
8. Be a Role Model
Consider what sort of effect you have on your peers. You are influencing those around you every single day in a bigger way than you realize. Make sure when people look up to you, you’re showing them respect and offering encouragement. If you want your employees to be confident and understanding, then you should exemplify those qualities.
9. Manage Your Cash Flow
If you are looking to build some capital for your business but are having trouble, it’s probably past time for you to evaluate your cash flow. See exactly where your money is going, and figure out what it’s going to take to reach your goal. You might be surprised by your expenditures if you haven't already taken a deep dive into your budget.
10. Take Care of Your Mind and Body
This is one of the most important things you can do for yourself in 2020. How you treat your body and mind will dictate a huge part of your experiences and accomplishments throughout the year. Think about your options for eating healthier, exercising regularly, and taking steps to reduce unnecessary stress from your life. Don’t stop with your personal health. Think about ways you can promote physical and mental health in the workplace as well. When you promote wellness in the workplace, it will help you stay accountable, reduce a lot of the stressors at work, and provide a great example for your peers who would equally benefit.
Once you've decided which resolutions are important to you and your business, check out our other New Year post for some tips for keeping those resolutions.
