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	Monthly Business e-Tips	Vol 3 Issue 1

It’s 2006, Now What?

New Year Greetings

I would like to thank my clients, colleagues and Growing Possibilities readers for a wonderful year in 2005. A generous donation has been made to Project Bread in gratitude for your support and business. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so on at this Web address. Best wishes for a year of health and happiness for you personally and for a year of innovation, success and prosperity for your business.

Warmest, Ellen

OK, the New Year is here.

It’s officially 2006, so what are you going to do about it? What does it mean to you? Is it the same old same old or is it going to be different? In business, we usually don’t think of New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions are more personal thoughts of how to improve in the year ahead. But it is just as important to reflect and plan for a business.

One of the greatest dangers in business is becoming stagnant. The economy, buying habits and consumer needs are changing. People bought more gift cards and fewer actual gifts this year. The housing market is soft and interest rates are rising. Business-to-business sales are stronger though purchasing is still done cautiously. New trends and technologies are available which could significantly affect how you do business.

Do you know what changes are taking place in your industry? How are you going to respond? You can do nothing and stay at the status quo. If you do not adjust, your business will suffer. Or you can be proactive and transform to what competitors, customers and the economy are indicating; the sooner the better.

Here are some things to think about adapting and adjusting for the year ahead:

• Your image and message. Is your image from 1990 versus 2006? Does your message resonate with your buyers? Does it speak to their concerns and needs for right now? Start testing an adjusted identity. Amend your message so that it connects loudly and clearly with your audience.
• Are your products and services relevant? Do you need to adjust your offerings? If you are selling products, do you need to think about adding services? If you are a service company, do you need to add products or expand the level of services offered? How do you know? Ask your customers and prospects, they’ll tell you.
• How do you deliver? Can people reach you or get your services online? Can they schedule appointments through your Web site? If not, you are behind the times and most likely trailing your competitors. Do you offer your services on-site and remotely? Time and convenience are of the essence nowadays. Make it easy for your customers to do business with you.
• How is your customer service? Do your employees solve problems in a way that is stress-free for customers? Do your customers understand how and whom to call to get questions answered and problems solved?
• Are you thinking ahead? Are you always putting out fires? If so, it is time to anticipate, fix and prepare for recurring problems so that your business runs smoother. Improve your operations so that your company is more profitable and runs as automatically as possible. It will keep you in business for the long run.