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During the New Year season everyone's mind turns to resolutions and year-end evaluations. Whist this may be the ideal time to focus your life and business on looking at the year that has just passed, I prefer to focus on the future.
My first step is to recommit myself to working every day to improve in one way or another. Sometimes this will mean working on aspects of myself, while at other times it will be my business that needs attention.
Things for improving oneself should include reading, education, seminars, and even speaking engagements. Yes, when you agree to be a speaker at someone else's event, or even at your own, you have a great opportunity to focus on yourself and hone your abilities.
Sharing your knowledge with others is a great gift for both the giver and the receiver. If you haven't taken this step, why not make this the year you begin? There are always opportunities to test your speaking abilities if you really look for them. As you may already know, your church or civic organizations are always looking for speakers. When you need the practice, these are terrific resources for honing your skills, content and delivery. Of course, these are non-paying engagements, but they are also chances to connect with potential customers and clients, especially if you deliver an outstanding speech.
Perhaps your business needs to begin growing in new and different directions. Things like advertising - using direct mail rather than always using email - may make a difference for you this year. Event planning, sponsorships, contests, and let's not forget investing in the tools that will make your business run more smoothly, are all potential growth activities for your business that come to mind. Partnering with other is also something you may want to consider as a way to continue to grow and improve your business.
Maybe you've even considered selling your business and moving on to the next phase of your life. This is the perfect time of year to reflect and possible begin making that types of decision.
One tool that can help your business grow is the highly recommended Weird & Wacky Holiday Marketing Guide, Your Business Marketing Calendar of Events. If you have never seen it you are really missing something special! People who have seen it and bought it have raved about it! Look for the guide on Amazon and get your hands on a copy. Even an old edition from a previous year will suffice. Plus the older copies are usually less expensive than the current year's edition.
If I have lit a spark, don't let it fizzle out. Look for ways to improve and grow. Constantly seek positive change and growth in both your business operations and your personal talents and abilities. These are the true hallmarks of successful business ownership.
© Copyright 2014 Ginger Marks
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