Notes from Town Square: Five new year's resolutions for small business

It’s a new year and that means it’s time to set some goals to help 2018 be a successful year! The Green River URA/Main Street Agency will be doing just that in the coming weeks with a strategic planning session. We’ve been working on a transformation strategy action plan and it is nearly complete. We are anxious to finalize our plan and get to work.

Here are a few suggestions to consider for your small business to help set the course for this year:

Make a Plan

Putting a business plan in place is the first step in creating a successful business. Business owners benefit from having a formal, written plan. Now is the time to create one, or if you have one already, review and update your plan to reflect your current needs and goals. This will help you prioritize how to spend your time and money. It will also help identify potential obstacles and prepare you to handle them. Make it a goal to utilize available resources this year.  The Small Business Development Center is a great resource and can help you develop and update your business plan. Other great resources include your local chambers and the Sweetwater Economic Development Coalition.

Be Visible

If you’re a small business with a physical storefront, we know your main goal is to get those shoppers through the front door. But how do you reach this target audience? You need to snag people right from their Google query. First things first; make sure your name, phone number and address are written on your site. This will help draw a clear path from a Google search straight to your store and result in more people walking through your door.

Prioritize a Balanced Life

The workday for a small business owner doesn’t always end at 5 p.m. on a Friday and pick up at 9 a.m. on Monday. In order to continue being the successful professional you are and to avoid burnout, be sure one of your New Year’s resolutions is to take the time you need to recharge. Exercise, spend time with people you care about and get some sleep at night. Carve out time for yourself and you’ll find your mind is more refreshed and your body is more energized.

Support Other Small Businesses

Small businesses have to stick together and support one another. In order to have a vibrant local business community, working together is key. Team up on marketing, networking and rallying your own neighborhoods. Know your small businesses and refer your customers to them for other services and goods.

Stop Doing What Doesn’t Work

After reviewing and creating your business plan, you will likely know exactly what’s not working for your small business.

Maybe your sales method isn’t performing well, one of your products isn’t selling, or a specific partnership isn’t working out. If this is the case, it’s time to drop it. Don’t invest a lot of energy into trying to make the unworkable workable. Move on, something better will turn up.

There are many other resolutions you could set for this year, but these few ideas may inspire you to set other goals and grow your business in other ways.

 

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