Guest Blog Post by Lourdes Balepogi of Chispa Marketing.
For many, a New Year represents a chance at a fresh start. And business owners are constantly in search of ways to reinvent themselves; to capture that next edge that will help them grow their business and better serve their clients. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to do it. To get you started, we’ve picked three resolutions you should make for your business in 2012.
1. I’ll only solve problems
It’s a common pitfall among small business owners. You love what you do and you want
to do it all. Well guess what? You can’t – at least not if you plan on being financially
successful. As a business owner, your job is to focus on delivering exactly what your customer wants – not what you think they might want. In 2012, keep that at the forefront of your mind when approaching your work.
2. I’ll meet with clients and prospects in person
Communication has gotten easier, but that doesn’t mean it’s gotten better. From social media to texting and email, we’re communicating all the time, but losing the essence of good communication in the process. Pick up the phone and set-up an in person meeting with a prospect or client. Do it often, in fact. You’ll be amazed by how much more meaningful those relationships become, and how much more you can accomplish by meeting in person, too.
3. I will be seen
Attend networking events. Get serious about email marketing. Stay steady on social
media. Let others know that you exist as often as possible. If you’re not promoting yourself at full throttle, can you expect someone else to?
What are your goals as a business owner in 2012? Share them with us!
Image: flickr
Susan Gunelius
Susan Gunelius is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Women on Business. She is a 30-year veteran of the marketing field and has authored a dozen books about marketing, branding, and social media, including the highly popular Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing, 30-Minute Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing for Dummies, Blogging All-in-One for Dummies and Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps. Susan’s marketing-related content can be found on Entrepreneur.com, Forbes.com, MSNBC.com, BusinessWeek.com, and more. Susan is President & CEO of KeySplash Creative, Inc., a marketing communications company. She has worked in corporate marketing roles and through client relationships with AT&T, HSBC, Citibank, Intuit, The New York Times, Cox Communications, and many more large and small companies around the world. Susan also speaks about marketing, branding and social media at events around the world and is frequently interviewed by television, online, radio, and print media organizations about these topics. She holds an MBA in Management and Strategy and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).
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Some good points, and I think the most surprisingly true one is #2. It’s too easy to hide behind computers. Face to face, or at least using phone, is a much easier way to communicate. Don’t bottleneck situations when you can quickly communicate face to face or on the phone to resolve a situation.