The start of the New Year is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the year ahead. If you want to make powerful changes to your business, here are some New Year’s Resolutions to consider.

I will unlock the digital potential of my business.

We all want to make money while we sleep but we often fail to exploit the most powerful resource at our disposal to achieve this objective – the internet. Revamp your website, employ SEO, create an email subscription list – the list of pathways to unleash the full digital potential of your business is virtually unlimited!

I will use social media to promote my business.

The most effective social media platforms do not cost a cent. Like the previous resolution, they work for you all day, every day. Virtually everyone who is likely to be your customer uses social media and so should you.

I will better manage my resources.

We tend to let details get drowned in the rush of everyday affairs. That inattention to detail can prove to be very costly. Other times, business owners lack the skills to manage their assets and finances. If you struggle with accounting and related matters, don’t waste your time and hard-earned money – hire an expert and focus on the business as a whole.

I will secure company assets.

Many small business owners think that they are immune to cybercrime because “hackers only go after the big guys, right?” Wrong. According to Verizon’s 2018 Data Breach Investigations Report, 58 percent of malware attack victims are small businesses. Researchers say that hackers don’t care about the size of the business – if they can steal money or sensitive information to sell on the dark web, your business is fair game. Take care to protect your business assets and customer data against today’s most advanced attacks before any damage can be done.

I will better manage my team.

A smaller, well-managed team will always achieve more than a larger, undisciplined one. If you are spending more time managing your team than the results they deliver, you need to reassess your management skills. Delegate tasks to the most capable and experienced individuals where you see fit and be willing to cut the chaff where necessary.

I will improve my communication skills.

It is convenient to assume that work is not being done because your employees are slacking. However, that too often proves to not be the case. Before you apportion blame, investigate whether your instructions and guidelines are the problem. Seek feedback and amend your communications style and frequency accordingly.

I will charge what I am worth.

One of the most difficult things about owning a business is the constant struggle to keep your head above water. It is especially demoralizing if you know you deliver value through hard work. The New Year is the ideal time to reassess the value you bring to the table. Look through all the excellent work you have delivered in the past for a healthy dose of confidence, then inform your clients that the rates you charge will increase from 2018.

There is no reason that 2019 will not be the most productive and lucrative year for your business. The question is whether you have the tenacity to follow through with your resolutions to make it happen. Please contact me today if you would like to discuss your business resolutions for 2019.