Start Off the New Year Strong

Ready for the new year? It’s a time of new beginnings, evaluation, and dreaming big. Channel the enthusiasm of resolutions and the fresh start to make this year a great one for your business. Use our checklist to start off the new year strong.

Client Relations

• Review current client list. Double check the information to ensure it’s up to date. Make sure points of contacts, email addresses, etc. did not change in the new year.
• Review your prospective client list. Decide which potential relationships to prioritize cultivating in the new year, and outline steps to take to turn the prospects into fans of your organization.

Employee Management

• Evaluate staffing needs. Identify any areas lacking support staff. Maybe it’s time for a social media manager or another administrative assistant. Consider a virtual assistant as an efficient and cost-effective way to meet your staffing needs, without draining the bank.

Business Management

• Create a strategy for the year. Create tangible, measurable goals for your organization. Think about what you want to accomplish in the upcoming year and how success is defined for your business. Then prioritize efforts for the first quarter.
• Make a thorough budget. It’s tedious, but important to make a budget for the full year. It’ll change as unexpected expenses and outstanding situations arise, but it will help provide the clear direction necessary to ensure money is being spent where it’s most needed.
• Review your processes. Examine your hiring practices, sales strategy, social media and marketing strategy, customer service practices, everything your organization does. Identify what is working, and what needs adjusting.
• Examine your technology. Make sure the security features on your devices and accounts are as secure as possible. Update any programs. Add in necessary equipment purchases in the budget for the new year.
• Clean up and clean out. Start off the new year with an organized workspace. Get rid of unnecessary documents on your computer. They just add clutter! Clean out and organize your desk to ensure everything is in its place for the new year.

Social Media and Marketing

• Conduct a social media audit. Go through all your social media channels. Evaluate their success and value to your organization, and cut ones that are not working.
• Review your branding. Sometimes a new year calls for a new look. Go through your website, business card design, and logo to see if anything should be updated.

It’s a new year, but there’s still the same old administrative tasks begging for your attention. If you’re stretching yourself (or your employees) too thin, outsource projects to Alpine Small Business Solutions! We can handle any business-related tasks for you, freeing up more of your time to manage your business in the new year. Give us a call or send us an email today.