February 12, 2012 9:30 AM CST
Five things you must do this year
Written targets and goals will insure you get what you want
If you don't innovate your business won’t work.
We are almost one month into 2012, and things are already moving too fast. Hopefully, you took a few moments and wrote out your goals for the next 12 months. Written targets and goals will insure you get what you want, by keeping you focused. Less than 20 percent of all business owners actually write out their goals. And guess what? These top 20 percent are in the top 20 percent of the most successful business owners in their marketplaces. A simple way to start is to write out these five goals: 1. Don’t be an island
Get involved with a group of like-minded business owners to seek advice, share challenges, get invigorated, and get accountable with on a regular basis. Personally, I made a decision to join a structured weekly group of men who discuss their personal and professional lives facilitated by a top business/life coach in our area. Bottom-line – do it!2. Take time to plan your plays
Bill gates said that the best thing he did while building Microsoft was to take his management team away on a regular basis to plan for the future. At these regular retreats, they discussed their strategy, options, new opportunities, what’s working, what’s not, and what they need to do to achieve their goals. When you don’t plan your future, you get what the market gives you instead of paving your own path.3. Innovate or die
Your business won’t work, if you're doing what you did when the economy was growing. In a flat economy, you have to change your business and evolve into a new kind of profit-making machine. What new customers, markets, systems, technology, people, production methods, contract type, services and products should you add or delete from your business to grow fast? Sit down and rate every part of your business as: keep doing, stop doing, start doing, or change how we do it.4. Revamp your calendar
Your calendar says it all. If you want to save money, your calendar is full of job meetings, ordering materials, scheduling crews, and doing take-offs. If you are focused on making money, it’s full of time with loyal customers, new customer targets, networking, mingling with potential customers, and building relationships. At least 33 percent of your time needs to be with customers having fun and enjoying each other. Make it your goal to revamp your calendar and pro-actively grow your business.5. Put yourself first
When I coach business owners, we always look at the income statements to see how they are doing. I almost always notice that business owner pay themselves way too little for the time, risk, and work they perform. In addition, their investments are often slim or none. When you put other people, employees, and customers ahead of yourself, you can’t do the best you are capable of. Customers want to do business with successful people, not poor struggling people. Make a commitment to pay yourself what you are worth and start an investment program starting now. Then spend the rest on overhead and expenses.About the Author
George Hedley is a best-selling author, professional speaker, and business coach. He helps entrepreneurs and business owners build profitable companies. Email gh@hardhatpresentations.com to request a free copy of Everything Contractors Know About Making A Profit! or signup for his e-newsletter. To hire George to speak, attend his Profit-Builder Circle academy or find out how he can help your company grow, call 800-851-8553, or visit www.hardhatpresentations.com.
