2012 has been another tough year for many businesses. As Christmas arrives and the New Year approaches, it is a great time to sit back and reflect.
Reflect
• Take a good look at your business and how it performed in 2012.• What were your goals for 2012? Did you achieve them?
• What were the high points?
• What were the low points?
• How successful was your marketing strategy?
• How well did your business use social media?
• How was your work/life balance?
• Has your business adversely affected your health?
• Remind yourself about what is really important to you.
• What are your long term goals?
• What is the USP (unique selling point) of your business? Are you making the most of it?
• What are the goals for your business in 2013?
• What are the goals for your personal life and do these fit with your business goals?
Revise• In the light of your reflections, do you need to amend your business plan?
• What actions can you take to build upon the successes of the past year?
• What actions can you take to avoid the repetition of the low points?
• Do you need to alter your marketing strategy or the way you use social media?
• Do you need to change the way you work to improve your health or relationships?
Relax
• Decide when you are going to work over Christmas and the New Year and be realistic about what you can achieve during those reduced hours.• Set your out-of-office email message so that your clients know when you will be available over the holiday period.
• Don’t commit to deadlines which it will be hard to achieve and have the potential to ruin your Christmas break.
• Spend time with your family and friends and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas!
