The New Year is upon us! We’ve had time to rest and reflect on what we achieved in 2014 and plan for what lies ahead in 2015. Setting goals in the New Year keeps us focussed and motivated now that January is in full swing
I’ve always thought affirmative resolutionskick everything off on a positive note. Here are 3 New Year resolutions for small business owners ready for a fresh start:
- Treat your Employees like yourBest Clients
It’s no surprise that happy employees are more productive, loyal and make a positive contribution to your company. [1]As business owners, we invest a lot of time building relationships with our clients and strategising on how to best serve them. Take the time to show your employees how much you value them too. With staff retention rates falling [2] making a concerted effort to build a solid company culture will foster loyalty and reliability from your colleagues and staff and will make the experience of coming to work each day that much more pleasant.
- Be Open to New Ideas
If one thing is for certain, staying still in this ever changing world will lead you on a swift path to obsolescence. Plan for change and keep your ear to the ground for new technologies and strategies on how to improve your products and services. Innovation can help you discover what opportunities exist now, or are likely to emerge in the future, helping your business stay relevant and competitive. [3] So be open to new ideas, do your own research and don’t be afraid of continually improving and ‘upgrading’ yourself and your business.
- Make Honesty Your Top Policy
Studies have shown, that as younger generations enter the workforce, a demand for honest leadership has risen.[4] With technology driving the accessibility of information, transparency and honesty have become traits that people look for in business. Encourage open communication and inclusion with your employees, clients and colleagues.
“If people like you, they’ll listen to you. But if they trust you, they’ll do business with you.”
– Zig Ziglar
