Page 19 - Vance Business Professional

With so much on a businessman’s plate, the more you can delegate tasks to managers, supervisors and support staff, the more time you will have to focus on the larger picture.
While none of us have a crystal ball, it’s best to start the year off with a road map. Consider some landmarks you want to aim to hit this year.
Get out there and join a networking group for your field or for the community. Getting out and talking to peers can inspire some new ideas.
Select a few important causes to your heart and create a plan to include your business in their fundraising. Cre- ate a company team for a walk, sign up for Habitat for Humanity or run a book drive.
Look over the last year (and the last five). Which of your products has soared? Which of your employees has gone above and beyond? Consider the services and assets that need to be revalued, reshaped or discarded.
The printer that only runs five sheets at a time; the computer that cannot open Excel and Word at the same time; the server that’s become overloaded – consider replacing that outdated equipment.
#7 – Boost Touchpoints
Reach out to your current customers – your livelihood – and see your company from their perspective. Send out a survey or grab lunch. Learn how your company can improve this year.
Have you seen the media outbursts over hacked busi- nesses? Make sure that your company isn’t next on the hit list. Test your security protocol and search for weak points.
Just as products evolve, so does the ideal client. Con- sider your services and examine previously untapped markets that may be the right fit for your business.
Whether you attend a seminar once a month, read a new business book quarterly or invest in a program, this year you need to get out there and learn something new.
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