I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. 2011 was tough on a lot of businesses and others faired very well. Personally, I found it a bit challenging and as a result I had to put a lot more energy than ever before to reach our goals and I am grateful for all that we have accomplished in 2011 including surpassing of 2010 sales goals by 11%.
At the start of the year, I like to ask myself the same question “Am I better off today than I was a year ago”, and the answer is no doubt a resounding yes.Every year, I focus on improving my business, my marketing and how we do business. Last year was the first full year that we decided to focus solely on Website Redesign and Branding as a specialty and it has been great for us. We have added new team members and continue to grow as a company as we enter our 6th year in business and I was able to do so because we have a decisive plan and strategy in place with a clear focus and goal in mind.
But I have to say it wasn’t always like this. I remember, my very first business a realty school, I was a very naïve 24 year old starting my first business. I thought all I needed to do is place an ad in the newspaper and my classrooms will fill up. I quickly learned the hard way that business is not always easy and growing your business requires consistent action and a solid plan in place, it is also when I fell in love with marketing, because I had to learn how to market my school successfully in order to fill my classroom, pay my instructors and support myself. So as you start the New Year!
What are your goals for your business and what steps are you going to take to achieve it!
For some reason, getting my goals out of my head and down on paper always seems to work, or at least get me in the right direction and I know once I stay the course and focus on the goal I will achieve it. So if you haven’t done so already, why not take out a piece of paper and right down at least one goal that you would like to achieve for your business.
In addition, take a look back at last year, take note of all the things that worked for you, what haven’t work and what you would like to improve or add in your business in 2012.
“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you always got.” Mark Twain
Let’s make it the best year yet! Stay tuned for all my marketing insights and tips & strategies that I use to grow my business that you can also use to grow yours.
Nicole McCullum is the founder of Captivate Designs, a New York Web Design company specializing in Website Redesign that helps businesses boost their image, leads and sales.