Home
>
Small Business
>
Top Ten Resolves for Building Your Business in 2005

Top Ten Resolves for Building Your Business in 2005

1. Resolve to build a consistent network system.

Since referrals are easier to sell, are often more loyal, comparison shop less, spend more and frequently refer others, it makes good sense to develop a solid system for getting referral business. Join a successful networking club in your area or on the internet and give plenty of introductions to other members. Ask your current clients for referrals, make getting referrals a condition of doing new business, give out your business card frequently, develop a networking mindset. It is part of being successful.

2. Resolve to make a plan for developing your business this year.

What worked in 2004? What results would you like to duplicate, modify, eliminate or expand in 2005? Become strategic. Study your competition to identify new trends and compelling advertising phrases or techniques that you could tweak slightly and utilize as well. Then by looking at your budget for the whole year, map out the marketing and advertising activity, on a month-by-month basis, that will support the results you want for 2004.

3. Resolve to develop a customer-driven business.

What we are looking for in business is customers to purchase our product or service, right? It makes sense to have your business focus on the customer and what he wants and yet many businesses fail because they don't ask. If you want a larger market share, let the customers tell you what to produce or provide. Basic market research will help you determine the products and services with the most likelihood of success. There is no other place to look.

4. Resolve to develop new streams of income and strengthen those you already have.

Did you ever think that there may be more streams of income to add to what you already do thereby increasing your bottom line? Perhaps it is a passive income such as selling products on the web or maybe it is packaging your product in a new way. Use your creativity, study other successful businesses and practice thinking "out of the box".

5. Resolve to take control of your business and strengthen your leadership qualities.

One of the best ways to take control of your business is to make sure you have written standards in place for every job. This process of developing standards, policies and procedures for every operation in your business, in addition to being good management, is what provides leverage for you to vacation or sell your business one day. Ray Kroc of McDonalds developed his super business without flipping a single burger because he took the time to set standards for how he wanted the job to be done each and every time. As a result, Kroc hired teenagers to run the business with unparalled success. Setting standards and enforcing them will elevate your leadership skills beyond measure.

6. Resolve to target your ideal market and customer.

Too many small business owners are working with every entity who cares to do business with them even though it may not be cost-effective. In 2005, decide to focus on the market that would best serve your company in the long-run. Increased customer share (having fewer customers spending more money with you) may be more profit making, simple and satisfying than trying to please many diversified customers.

7. Resolve to consistently generate more leads and sales.

Consistent marketing to your target market will produce more overall leads to generate business consistently throughout the year. Eliminate more of the highs and lows of your income by making a commitment to market activity that locates those contacts, appointments and resultant sales, daily and weekly.

8. Resolve to take good care of yourself this year.

Business owners work hard. Sometimes they forget to pay attention to their own health or to their families and everyone loses out in the long run. This year, plan to take some time and be with those you love. Everyone will appreciate this resolve. Learn how to have fun?even.if it is uncomfortable and relax. Maintaining balance between business and personal activity is key to long-term success.

9. Resolve to ask for and use the support of others.

Get in the habit of asking others for support to bounce off an idea, listen to your goals, share in your success. Consider hiring a coach or asking respected colleagues to be part of an advisory board. Regular meetings will help you be accountable for your activity and you may be surprised at the great ideas that will surface.

10. Resolve to increase my net profit by____% in 2005.

Some business owners are afraid to indicate a percentage of growth for fear it may not happen. Consider that it may not happen because you are unwilling to put yourself on the line. Naming a percentage and making a committment to this result will force you to be focused and innovative to discover the solutions that will work. Go for it in 2005?.what's the best that could happen?

Gloria Willis, M.S. is a Business Development Consultant for the Center for Business Mastery, a resource for small business in Northern Colorado. Contact: 970-482-0332 for questions and to set up a free consultation.

Gloria Willis is a Business Development Consultant and owner of Center for Business Mastery. She works with small business owners to identify specific needs and designs a strategic plan for implementing. Gloria Willis, M.S, has proven results in the areas of: leadership development, sales, marketing , business planning. She is a graduate of the University of Utah, B Coach Systems and Coaches Training Institute.

emergency cleaning services Des Plaines ...

In The News:

Startups are helping modernize America’s defense industry with new technology and innovative ideas as the War Department diversifies its inventory.

New account fraud victims jumped 31% in 2025, reaching 5.4 million. Criminals open accounts you may never see on your regular bank statements.

Flytrex says its AI-powered Rooftop Dock system in Dallas-Fort Worth positions drones at restaurants before orders arrive, cutting delivery costs by 60%.

Samson Sky's Switchblade flying car secures $80 million from Dubai's Matin Group, but the redesigned hybrid-electric aircraft still needs more testing.

The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

CenterPoint Energy confirmed customer data was stolen, while a hacker claims 7.49 million records with partial Social Security numbers were taken.

The $59 Brick device promises to help curb phone addiction, but free iPhone and Android tools may already do the job. Here's what to try first.

Epsilon Data Management's "opportunity seeker" lists helped scammers target millions of older Americans, DOJ court filings reveal in detail.

HBO Max's verified Reddit account was hijacked to push 108 malicious ads using ClickFix, a technique that tricks victims into running dangerous commands.

Flash Shelton reveals how home security cameras and alarm systems can stop squatters before they claim tenant rights in your vacant property.

WIM-Z's AI dog training robot uses on-device processing to detect barking and dispense treats autonomously, with field trials showing up to 83% reduction.

Google's Threat Intelligence Group found PROMPTFLUX malware that uses Gemini to rewrite its own code every hour, raising urgent cybersecurity alarms.

Your VPN may quietly drop protection when switching between airport Wi-Fi and hotel Wi-Fi. Key settings like auto-connect and kill switch help.

A South Carolina caregiver allegedly gained power of attorney over a 75-year-old with Parkinson's, then transferred his home via quitclaim deed for $5.

Joby Aviation flew its eVTOL air taxi into DFW Airport's busy airspace as Texas launches Project Nexus, a three-year advanced air mobility program.

Federal prosecutors say criminals bought sponsored search ads mimicking real banks, capturing over 5,000 login credentials and draining accounts.

The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 electric truck targets 621 miles per charge on a 28,000-mile round-the-world journey through over 30 countries.

A viral video shows roughly a dozen Coco Robotics delivery robots swarming a Chicago sidewalk near Lincoln Park, raising wheelchair access concerns.

NewTree Social founder Maddy O'Connor built a community events app to help people discover local gatherings, wellness events and run clubs nearby.

DoppelCart's 119,000 fake shopping domains steal credit card details at checkout, mimicking over 44,000 real brands with convincing cloned sites.

Hurricane charity scams use data brokers and people search sites to target victims before storms even hit, exploiting personal information..

The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Autonomous race cars hit Laguna Seca and Imola Circuit at speeds topping 157 mph, but the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League faces a fan problem.

A LinkedIn romance scam cost Gaby close to $1 million after a scammer returned her first payment to build trust, then escalated requests over two years.

Safari's Notify Me can monitor websites for price changes and restocks, while new AI photo tools let you reframe and extend shots in iOS 27.

Top Ten Resolves for Building Your Business in 2005

Small Business