For most of us, the month of December is a time when we reflect on the events that have passed and look forward to what lies ahead. It’s also the appropriate time to make resolutions for more success, revenue growth and better serving your clients. What would you consider your big successes of 2016? Did you run a promotion that clients couldn’t get enough of, or introduce a new service that’s starting to take off?
Use what’s happened over the past year as lessons to improve and continue to thrive! Count your successes as well as the not-so-successful ideas as progress. You live, you learn, and your business grows in the process.
Use the knowledge you gained about your business, team and customers this year to prepare for an even brighter 2017. Compile and review sales reports, promotional calendars and your client database, if you notice certain things that were the most effective, look at how you may be able to revive them.
December is a great time to take a deep look at what is going on with your business and make necessary changes. Are you running yourself ragged working at the salon, promoting, posting on social media and trying to keep up with your personal tasks? I know many business owners who can relate to this! It may be time to delegate. Use the strength of your team to contribute to the business and watch your employees blossom while your business thrives.
Since it’s the season of gratitude, gift-giving and reflection, this month I want to share three ideas that can help set you up for an amazing year!
Let it Go. We’ve all experienced struggles within our business as well in our personal lives. Within each situation (good or bad) there is a lesson … look for it. Perhaps you’re holding on to a particularly frustrating client or staff situation. Let it go and move on.
Strategize for Success. You already know you need a plan, so why not have fun with it? Look at plans from previous years, attentively, then choose three or four of your best ideas and try them again with a few minor tweaks. If you’re brainstorming new promotions, now is the time to lay them out on the calendar. Mix them in with the promos clients loved from previous years and, ta-da! Your plan for the year is almost done. This is also the time when you want to closely watch your competition, take a peek at their pricing, packages and products. Stay competitive!
Make it Happen. Decide what you need to make your goals happen. Success is available for all; we simply need to be open to it. I suggest making a list of how your staff, vendors and even clients can assist you in achieving your goals. Pair up your needs with your success strategy and reach out for help when you need it. This is where delegation comes in; there are many ways to grow your business, but you are only one person. Enlist the help of team members and give them a smidge of responsibility. A bit of support can make all the difference.
What’s next? Take the tips you love and apply them to your business. Starting the year off with a positive outlook and your eye on the prize is where you want to be. This is also the attitude you want your team to have, so pass it on. When you put your ideas and intentions out there, you’ll be surprised at what you can achieve.
Starting the year off with a positive outlook and your eye on the prize is where you want to be.
