|
As we begin to make the turn to 2012, are you making preparations to set yourself up for success? Every successful company sets goals. They write them down and check them off as they accomplish them. Have you started to set your goals for 2012? Below are just a few that should be considered:
* Gather updated and new information about running your business. Get updated information and pricing on everything from equipment, advertising, bridal shows, products and more that you will need for 2012. When planning out your year in advance, you need to know your options and what things are going to cost you. Are you going to be in need of a new camera, new office, new van and more? Start researching what these items are going to cost. Gather information from all of your advertising and marketing opportunities in town so you have the information at the ready when you need to jump start some additional revenue opportunities. Being educated on your opportunities and what tools are available for you to grow your company are vital in moving your business forward.
* Set a budget for 2012. Your budget should be based on your income and expenditures for 2011, while considering possible increases and cuts for the year. This budget should be detailed and should be the standard for your year's income and expenses. Needing a new computer for 2012? Which month will you purchase it? How much will it cost? Put it into the budget. From your salary, your employee's salary, equipment, advertising, bridal shows, and more, list everything in an Excel spreadsheet. Project your income for the year and be detailed. List all of the ways you earn revenue. Then create columns to input your actual income and spending for each month. Have Excel automatically create a formula to keep you up-to-date with whether you're running ahead of budget or behind. This will allow you to see where you need to cut to make your budget for the month and ultimately for the year. Your budget isn't meant to keep you from spending. It's meant to be a blueprint to show you how much you have to spend on your business while still bringing you your desired bottom line. All major corporations operate with a budget and you should too. Don't know how to create one? Don't let that stop you. Ask around and get educated!
* Update your business plan. How do you expect to grow your business without a plan to do so? Map out your year and determine how you will run your business at a greater profit than the year before. Be detailed with your efforts and make them measurable.
* Update your advertising and marketing plan. If you've spent the time collecting media kits, pricing and details on marketing efforts in town from print to the Internet to lead generation to bridal shows, networking events and more, you will be able to take your budget (see above) and put together an advertising and marketing plan that will give you the furthest reach for your hard earned dollar. Your ability to put together an advertising and marketing plan will determine your potential revenue for 2012.
* Get organized. Look for new ways to organize everything from incoming calls or leads to contacting and following up with prospects to meetings and more. Being organized will help you use your time more efficiently and will allow you to accomplish more in a day. The more you can accomplish in a day, the more revenue you'll be able to generate.
* Update your look. Take a look at your marketing pieces from the bride's perspective. Does your web site need an update? Put it in the budget. Does your logo, your business cards, your flyers or brochures need an overhaul? Now is the perfect time to update your look to the 2012 bride. Create stronger marketing pieces with a good call to action and a robust message. Use updated images and a cleaner look to attract today's bride. Utilize technologies like the Microsoft Tag to bring more business to your doorstep.
* Look to reinvest in yourself. Look at what you did in 2011 to drive business. Make necessary changes and then add one to three new ways to bring in business. If you didn't participate in social media last year, get involved with it this year. If you were in one magazine last year, look to push it to two magazines. If you didn't work leads last year, look to start a company newsletter or blog for brides and/or vendors this year. Growing a business means adding more efforts to drive revenue every year. How do you grow? By being in more places!
* Update your products, services and packages. Determine if there are new opportunities to improve on what you already offer. From updating album options to creating new packages (and pricing) to adding more services or products to your repertoire, updating what you're selling can prove to increase your closing ratio. Think about the iPhone. Why is there an updated version every 6-12 months? They want to stay on the cutting edge, stay top of mind, and sell more products. Constant updating can do all of those things and more!
* Take a class. Running a business is complex. From spreadsheets to marketing to advertising and more, the day to day operations can be overwhelming. Look to take a class on a subject that has proven to be a challenge for you and increase your ability to do business by educating yourself.
* Set new expectations for customer service. Every day, you could be losing business to your competition just based on the customer's experience. Look for ways to improve customer service with your team in 2012. From answering the phone to email etiquette to follow ups and more, improving your clients' experience can lend to more referral sales in the future.
These are just a few items that could help you be more successful in 2012. No matter what goes on the list, be sure your items are going to help you build revenue, keep expenses you need while getting rid of or limiting those you don't need and will allow you to drive your bottom line forward in 2012. Look at Facebook, Apple and other incredibly successful companies:
- They're always making changes and updates so they don't become old and taken for granted.
- They're always finding ways to stay top of mind and in front of consumers.
- They're always improving through products through a goal-oriented list of new opportunities.
Run your business like a billion dollar company by creating goals for yourself and then never resting until those goals become reality. 2012 is around the corner and your success is waiting for you there.
| 
Did you know that by just referring businss to us, you could receive a $25 gift certificate to any PWG advertiser? The new client should let us know that you referred them. When they sign up as an advertiser we will contact you about the certificate.
