7 New Year's Resolutions to Start Your Year Off With a Bang

Posted by GABI on January 2, 2008 - 10:48pm in

By Felicia J. Slattery

Creating New Year's Resolutions for your small business can be a daunting task. Where do you start? Keep in mind New Year's Resolutions are simply goals for your small business. As a communication consultant, I suggest you consider thinking about the various ways you communicate in your business as a way to help you see success as a solo professional in 2008.

Following are seven types of effective communication skills which will easily launch your business into 2008 and beyond with the results you want.

1. Learn and implement a new content-related skill in your field of expertise. Keeping yourself current in your field by adding a new skill that can help your clients or learning a new technique to add greater dimension to what you offer is one great way to communicate that you are "cutting edge" and know the latest and greatest "stuff" when it comes to your industry.

2. Learn and create or implement a new marketing skill. Have you always wanted to learn how to create a Signature Speech to market your business? Or maybe you'd like to add article writing to your marketing mix. Or how about learning the best ways to get free publicity through public relations? Whatever marketing skills you learn will help you effectively communicate what you offer.

3. Practice extreme self-care. At first glance, taking care of yourself may not seem like it has anything to do with business, but as a small business owner, it has everything to do with your success. Most solo professionals tend to take care of everything and everyone else before they take care of their personal needs. And that can be a mistake, especially in business. If you get run down or ill, then your business suffers. If you get burnt out or overwhelmed, your business suffers. Taking care of yourself will make sure you stay on top of your work and continue to succeed.

4. Focus on spending more time with family and friends: create systems. Spending more time with those we love is one reason many solo professionals started their businesses to begin with. We wanted the freedom to come and go as we please, along with the cash flow to support our lives. If you create systems where your business operates without you, you free more of your time to be and communicate with those you love most and spend less time working.

5. Communicate with those in your industry by becoming more involved. Do you belong to a group or association of others in your field? Become known in your industry by getting active with those groups. Participate in online discussions, join committees, and get things done to help advance your industry. You'll make a name for yourself by helping further your industry at the same time!

6. Become active in your local community for networking and philanthropic causes. In the New Year, consider joining your local chamber of commerce, leads organization, or one of the myriad philanthropic local groups in your area. You'll meet people who will have a unique opportunity to get to know, like, and trust you, and at the same time you'll be working for a good cause.

7. Brush up your brand image. Take a long hard look at your online presence and your printed pieces. Do you send a cohesive message about what you offer and who you are? When you communicate your business brand effectively, clients and customers will be drawn to you simply because it is clear what you're all about.

By focusing on the above 7 communication skills in 2008, your small business will be a great success!

I invite you to join me for a unique opportunity to make sure you reach your goals in 2008. It's my Resolutions Results Program for Business. Designed specifically for solo professionals, you'll get the support you need along with communication tips and techniques so your business will have amazing results in 2008. Discover all the exciting details here: http://www.communicationtransformation.com/resolutionresultsprogramforbu...

Felicia J. Slattery, M.A., M.Ad.Ed. is a communication consultant, speaker & coach specializing in training small and home-based business owners effective communication skills so they can see more cash flow now. Learn more about her and sign up for her free e-course, Increase Business by Communicating Your Credibility at http://www.CommunicationTransformation.com

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