3 Steps for Taking Charge in 2014

Welcome to 2014! Have you taken time to sit down and figure out your business’ resolutions for the new year? Just like personal resolutions, professional resolutions can be pushed to the side and out of the picture in just a matter of weeks. If you are overdue, and haven’t created any, starting making them now. Delay is the enemy of progress.

If you are having trouble creating a resolution, perhaps implementing these steps will give you the push forward for 2014.

Write It Down

Have you developed a written strategic plan outlining what you want your business to achieve in 2014? Did you get the input of your managers or employees?

Written plans typically include your sales goals, but consider other goals you may want to accomplish. Get those goals in written format and share them with your staff. At CWS, we also include items such as reducing time wasters, growing employee happiness, shifting duties, etc.

There are many resources online to further develop your strategic plan. You can start by changing small parts of your business procedures and test to see if what you are doing is effective. As the year goes on, continue testing new ideas to achieve your overall strategic plan.

Anticipate Change and Evolve Around it

The only constant is change. Make sure your plan can evolve and adapt as the year progresses. It is important you keep an eye on your business’ forecast and look for rough waters ahead...Every business runs into them. It’s important to follow the plan but if you hold so tight, turning a blind eye to unexpected challenges, it can cost your business dearly. Only when we are wary of unexpected obstacles and recognize new opportunities, can we not only adapt, but accelerate our growth.

The ability to forecast is to be able to pick out certain long term trends that seem prevalent in your business or industry. Watching out for what is “up and coming” can keep your business ahead of the curve and make it easier to make these changes on your time.

Examples of this could be higher taxes, changing governmental regulations, or even the growing paperless society with new types of payment products and services available today.

A great exercise to do with your team is to brainstorm what each member thinks is a growing trend in your business/industry. Remember, you are not always buying for an immediate benefit but rather a future opportunity.

Let Go of Your Doubts and Lean Into It

2014 could easily be the best year for your business, if you leave doubts behind you. One of the greatest faults of the human race is not taking action because you doubt its success. You can never achieve something you don’t try.

Your belief in your business needs to be stronger than ever. Rather than create doubt, stay proactive to achieve and conquer your goals. Success isn’t achieved in a day, but rather after a number of calculated steps.

Remember: This year and each year following can be as great as you want it to be. Head into 2014 with a positive mindset. Eliminate the negative and fearful feelings by developing a written plan, with the input of your staff, and then working the plan.

Sometimes it is hard to keep doubt out, but take it one day at a time and focus on making each day better than the last!