Ever get the feeling your business is a step or two behind the competition?
Unfortunately, there are a fair amount of companies out there that can relate to that. In doing so, they position themselves in some cases for ultimate failure.
In the event your business is not traveling down the road to success these days, what can you do about it?
Simply saying you are going to change things is not enough. When all is said and done, it is results and results only that matter.
With that being the case, the upcoming New Year is the perfect time for your business to be driven to get better.
Whether in the transportation business or hundreds of other industries out there, take the time to analyze where things are at now heading into 2017. In doing so, you will better position your company to do great things over the next 12 months.
So, are you ready to stop being stranded as other businesses pass you by?
What’s Your Plan in 2017?
In order to propel your business forward in the New Year, remember these pointers:
- Plan – First and foremost, do you have a reliable plan in place to get you and your business where you both need to go? That plan should encompass a number of items, most notably how to get where you want as a business and what the approximate costs will be. Although you may know where you want to be a year from now, at what costs will it be that you ultimately arrive? From new technology to changing consumer habits, make sure to digest as much information as possible to arrive at your desire location;
- Efforts – What efforts will it take over the next 12 months in order for you to say a year from now that your company is where you want it to be? For instance, if you run a transportation company or related business, how do you go about getting the best car-sharing for improved consumer results? Do you invest more time and money into just the vehicles and nothing else? How much research and money should you pour into new technology? Can you learn anything by studying what your competition is doing? There will be lots of effort on your part just to stay up to speed with not only competitors and consumer demands, but also where technology is now and where it is headed. Most importantly, don’t be left stranded on the side of the road with any of these important aspects of your business.
Listen to Your Customers
- Feedback – How many times as a consumer have you gotten upset over business owners not listening to your recommendations and/or requests? Unfortunately, it happens many more times than it should. When it does, business owners (perhaps you included) run the risk of alienating customers. Losing a few here and there may not seem like a big deal, but it adds up over time. One of the ways to negate such loses is by getting as much feedback as possible from your customers. What do they like about your brand? What do they want to see more or less of? Do you offer customers enough rewards, especially those long-time individuals? Always listening to your customers gives the ability to fix issues and improve your business practices;
- Goals – Lastly, what goals do you have for your business in the New Year? If you say you’re not all that sure, that is something you need to correct. Always have goals in place for your business, especially if it involves dealing with the potential for irate customers at times. Your goal as a business owner first and foremost should always be how to grow your business, along with how to nurse it through the difficult stretches, namely tough financial times.
If you want to avoid being left stranded as other businesses pass you by, take the time as the year comes to an end to review.
In doing your business review, see what your top priority is for 2017. More likely than not, it is to do an even better job in your customer relationships.