Running a business is difficult. Really difficult. A lot of business owners are reluctant to admit just how overwhelming the whole process can be. Of course, there is something to be said for keeping a stiff upper lip and treading through troubled waters despite obstacles; however, there needs to be an element of self-care in the mix.
Before reaching a point of pure exhaustion or breakdown, remember what it means to be your best self. Does your best self rise before the sun or have a sharp eye for business opportunities? Make a list of what it takes to keep your best self on top. Stumped? Consider the following to get your own list jump-started:
- Make your needs a priority.
- Acknowledge your mistakes and then move past them.
- Keep up that motivation!
- Focus on your goals.
- Don’t fear failure; learn from it.
- Stop skimping on sleep.
- Remember your worth.
- Understand that failure is not rejection.
- Set aside personal time.
- Stay assertive in business and in your personal life.
- Reward yourself when you succeed.
Making yourself a priority is somewhat counterintuitive, especially when you often face dozens of other pressing needs. Remember your flight attendant’s advice, and take care of yourself before getting to work on any other tasks. If you are not your best self, chances are that your business will not live up to your standards either.
Dedication
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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.
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.