For most people, the beginning of a new year represents a fresh start. From organization to weight loss, this is the time of year for new goals and a new outlook, not just on a personal level but on a professional level as well. As 2016 approaches, now is the time to look ahead and consider how you can fast track your business goals in the new year.
One of the most important steps to a strong 2016 is to look ahead and carefully plan long-term goals. Every business, whether it is a one-man operation or large company, benefits from a written strategy. The business’s long-term plan should include monthly goals and reflect current and future needs. Without a business plan, a company can easily lose sight of the overarching strategy, waste time and designate resources to unimportant areas. Make sure and resolve to effectively plan measurable and achievable goals for the upcoming year.
While the new year is a fresh start, it should also be viewed as an opportunity to jump ahead of the competition. Many businesses launch new programs and products at the start of a new calendar year, but these promotions should be marketed appropriately. A year-long pattern of success can begin in the first few weeks of 2016. Any business owner should make a resolution to take a running start into the new year by putting effective marketing strategies into place.
Finally, any business-related New Year’s resolution should include a strategy to manage cash flow and maintain financial stability. No business can predict profits and losses in a particular year, but a practical financial plan can help a small business maintain operations and make payroll, even in slow times. If you have concerns about your finances, take the new year as an opportunity to “circle the wagons,” seek counsel with a trusted financial planner and build a foundation for a stable year for your business.
Use the calendar rollover to take back the reigns of your operations and run toward a better, stronger 2016 for your business. No matter the type and size of your business, making practical New’s Years resolutions is well worth the effort.
Start an “about us” page. Customers who feel more connected to a business’s purpose and background are more likely to commit their regular business to it. On the business website, create an “about us” page that includes why the business was started, what problems it is solving and how it is making a change.
Shifting some of the focus back to the business’s purpose can also help reconnect owners with why they went into business in the first place. Remaining connected with and focused on that purpose is one of the most effective ways to continue leading a company with conviction and strength.
The rate of advancement in technology is no doubt an amazing feat, but all those new products can be put to work doing much more than tracking fitness levels or running game apps. Of course, any online venture will need to make use of the most basic technology in order to communicate with customers and sell products, but utilizing more advanced gadgets and systems to grow wealth is a strikingly attainable goal for most business owners. Here’s how:
Playing games and updating Facebook statuses are only a tiny fraction of what smart phones and tablets are capable of doing. Are you ready to make a difference in your wealth in 2016? Stand out from the crowd and use new technology to create the wealth for which you are aiming.
Having a plan before heading into negotiations over product prices or contracts is not only advisable, it is necessary. However, that is not to say that you should not stop and listen to whatever counter options are presented. Drawing a hard line in the sand may not get you and your business anywhere. Remember, you need to be a bit flexible during negotiations, so have an idea of what you are willing to bend or concede before ever sitting down at the table.
It can be a little overwhelming or even a bit scary to ask for what you want during negotiations. Of course this is understandable, since no one really likes confrontation, but stop and ask yourself what is the very worst thing that could happen? The worst reaction is likely that the other party will say, “No,” and you will continue on with negotiations. Stand up for your business and its needs and never be afraid to put forward your requests.
Instantaneous gratification is hard to turn down, but fast agreements are hardly a hallmark of beneficial negotiations. Being in a rush makes it all too easy to agree to terms or conditions with which you might not otherwise be too happy. Slow it down, and remember that negotiations are a practice in patience. 
Ever heard your mother say, “There are some people you just can’t reason with”? Not every negotiation will produce positive or beneficial agreements, and that is just part of business. Know that you can end the process and walk away when necessary, especially if your business is at stake.
So, why should affiliate marketers be concerned with mobile websites? For those who receive a commission per purchase and not per click, the implications of a shoddy or non-existent mobile platform can be devastating for profit margins. When faced with difficult-to-navigate mobile websites, about 70 percent of customers who initiate transactions on smart phones or other mobile technology leave before ever completing the process.
Building your own business as an affiliate marketer means that you need to do more than just research the products for which you are creating content. Before committing to any affiliate program, make sure that you understand the risks and benefits associated with it.
Offering discounts or early sales to people in your family seems like an okay enough idea, but this often results in two equally negative outcomes. 1) Time that should be spent focusing on actual customers and your target market is wasted and, 2) early sales to loved ones are often conflated with real-world success. Want to avoid this? Instead of asking for sales, ask for the following when looking for support from your family:
Not everyone lives near their loved ones or has an amicable relationship with their family, but for those who do, be careful not to alienate or ostracize them by treating a family member as a customer. Instead, keep your focus on your growing business and ask your family to be patient with you while you work.
We’ve all been subjected to boring and unnecessarily long meetings, but it is possible to make these times productive and effective. Want to save money and respect the time and effort of your employees? Consider the following before you plan your next business meeting:
Limit technology. iPads, phones and powerpoint presentations are all beneficial, but in many cases, it can actually slow down your meeting agenda. You may be able to streamline your meetings by making your conference room a “device-free zone.”
Collaboration is a an important aspect of any business, but it requires a careful balance of time management and necessity. If you suspect that your employees are “meeting weary” or your meetings are not as effective as possible, try revamping your approach. Shorter meeting times, clear agendas and a focused approach are clear steps toward more efficient collaborative efforts. Instead of simply surviving meetings, make sure they are actually beneficial for the success of your business.
Are you happy?
Once discovered, your purpose should act as a light guiding your path in life. After that purpose is unearthed, use it to define and shape any resolutions that you set during the New Year, and consider keeping a journal along the way. By the end of 2016, you should be able to reflect back and see the changes that your purpose has brought into your life.