Looking Back BUT Moving Forward In Business

In this two part blog we will look at some concrete steps you can take to guide your business into the new year. These steps to success will give you the tools that you need to make sure you and your business are learning from what has been, while moving forward.

Step One - Learn from the past:

“What’s past is prologue” – William Shakespeare 

A whole year has come and gone, and with it lessons, some no doubt hard learnt. We want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve done right over the year that’s been, but also what we’ve done wrong. Here are some questions to ask yourself of your business:

• What did you try that worked well? Try and come up with three specific things.
• What did you do this year that didn’t work? Again try and come up with three things.
• What did you enjoy the most? Make a list, the longer the better, this is the stuff that you probably did the most of.
• What did you enjoy the least? Hopefully this list is short! Have a look at this list and see what is important and needs to be done and what isn’t. You spend a lot of time and energy on your business; let's try and make it as enjoyable as possible!
• Does the public image of your business, as seen in its logos and branding, accurately reflect what you do in the market? In a world full of noise do you stand out from the crowd?

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Step Two - What do you want the new year to hold? Define your goals:

“Our goal can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success” – Pablo Picasso 

We need a plan, yes indeed, but first we need some goals. These goals can be broad, as we’ll get plenty specific shortly, but first of all we need to set up some goal posts and generally outline the field. Our goals may look something like:

• Be the top read blog site in New Zealand.
• To promote natural products as a viable alternative to chemical cleaners.
• To highlight the impact of homelessness in my community.

Whatever the goal is, it will be specific to you and will be constant touchstone that you can go back to. Almost like a mission statement although goals can change whereas a mission statement sets out the overall purpose and tends to be more consistent year on year. 

Do any of your goals include having professional graphic design work done to make an impact and increase sales? Get in touch with us TODAY about getting started on introducing bright, new, attractive branding and a crisp, clear, unique logo that presents your business positively to everyone. ​