The beginning of the year is a perfect time to make new commitments to operate your business at the next level. Many small business owners get so busy during the year on working IN the business they forget (don't have time) to work ON the business.
So, STOP what you are doing and make notes on how you can incorporate these 3 business resolutions into your 2013 plan: 
(1) CLEAN HOUSE - This may mean something different for every entrepreneur. Find what is relevant for you here and do it.
As a business coach, I work with many small business owners who allow paperwork to build up, inventory spreadsheets to get behind, accounting tasks to be put off, etc. Basically, they allow the business operations to be messy and assume they will eventually have the time to clean up when business is slow. What they learn is that when business is slow, they are busier than ever doing their best to develop more business. If this is you - it is time to clean house - get your paperwork organized, get your books and inventory up-to-date and generally throw out anything that is not necessary to your business operations. Neatness actually does count in business! Why? Because it unclutters your brain and allows you to see exactly what needs to get done.
Cleaning house also means to take a look at all those who work for you and ask yourself, "Is this the best I can get for the job at hand? Am I looking forward to working with this person day after day for another year and more?" If the answer is NO than get prepared to start doing something about it. Having employees is not like marriage. In marriage - "Til death do us part" - I generally believe in "the devil you know is better than..."well you know, but your employees and or vendors are not meant to be part of your life til death. Their role is more til they pass their usefulness in the job. Too often employees and/or vendors are kept on for no other reason than the entrepreneur doesn't want to disrupt the apple cart. I promise you, if you have a coach potato of an employee on your hands (s)he will only get worse in time and drive you crazy in the process. Businesses grow when new blood is infused into the business and new excitement and creativity are spread throughout the organization. Don't be afraid to clean house of those that are holding you back from success.
(2) PLANT SEEDS - This means make a commitment to promote yourself and/or your business at least once per week throughout 2013. There are many ways to do this. First, if you don't already blog start one and blog at least once a week. If you do blog - keep at it and add one more posting per week. If you are on twitter make sure you tweet something about yourself or the business specifically at least once per week. Make a name for yourself. Be an expert. If you don't talk about yourself who will? Now, before you tell me that there is no "i" in team and that promoting yourself is too much like bragging, I want to remind you that you pay the bills and are responsible for the success or failure of the business. Yes, it is important to share congratulations of success with all those that help you get there, but in the final analysis it is your business and your livelihood that is always on the line.
If you have an exit strategy planned and you want to someday sell the business to a competitor, I suggest you plant seeds by having lunch with your competitors from time to time with the purpose of learning about each other as industry professionals. Whether or not you ever sell your business to them, or perhaps purchase their business, is not the point. The point is you will be constantly learning about what drives others in your industry to succeed. Your competitors will always be able to teach you something.
(3) CUSTOMER APPRECIATION - This means make a commitment to show your best customers appreciation for their business and loyalty. Please don't tell me that you already do this. I hear that from most of my clients. The fact is they talk with their best customers most often because they see them (work with them) the most often. But most of every small business owner's attention goes to acquiring new clients/customers. Well, take a lesson from Marketing Lessons From The Grateful Dead and start really showing appreciation for your best customers in 2013. Depending on your business (B2B or B2C), this might mean calling them up personally and offering something at no charge because you know it will benefit them or their business. If you have a retail business give your best customers heads up and first dibbs on all sales with preview opportunities. And, it should go without saying, give your best customers the best prices! Too often small business owners provide discounts for new customers saying that the loyal customers will buy anyway. Well, 2013 is your time to show them you want to keep their business for the longterm and you will appreciate them every chance you get.
Well, there they are 3 simple business resolutions for women entrepreneurs and every entrepreneur that will change your business in 2013.
If you have questions on how to implement them, please email me at vicki@vickidonlan.com - I appreciate your loyalty in reading my blog and I walk my own talk and will show you my appreciation with a complimentary consultation.
Happy New Year -- may it be healthy, prosperous and wild - Vicki
