Customer Service: New Year's resolutions easier to accomplish when they involve business, not pleasure

It’s a new year now, and that means it is time for New Year’s resolutions. My personal resolutions always include things such as reorganizing my closet (and keeping it clean), taking my dogs on daily walks or promising myself that I will spend at least an hour a week doing something for me. I always start strong on Jan. 1. OK, Jan. 2. I take all my old clothes out of the closet, take the dogs for a walk and plan a pedicure date just for me. But by Jan. 7, the old clothes are stuffed back in the closet. By Jan. 20, the walks are down to weekly, if they happen at all. And by February, I’m spending less time on myself than I did the year before. It always seems to work out that way. Maybe my goals are too lofty, or maybe, deep down, I don’t have the motivation.
Business resolutions seem to be easier to keep. Maybe it’s the team of talented professionals here at Visionworks that helps me keep them all. Or maybe it’s because I know that keeping these resolutions will have a direct impact on my business. Many businesses don’t make New Year’s resolutions for the organization, but it can be really helpful. The new year is a time for fresh starts and new energy. What a great time to try new things and expand your horizons!
If you make New Year’s resolutions for your business, consider adding a few of our suggestions below. If you haven’t historically made New Year’s resolutions for your business, this is the year to start. Here are ideas for 10 resolutions to improve your business in 2010.

• • Stop putting off important marketing decisions. Schedule a time each week to look at and work on your marketing efforts either on your own, with an in-house marketing manager or with help from a marketing agency. (I can recommend one; give me a call.)
• Re-evaluate your strategic marketing plan. Look over all related activity from the past year. Decide what works and what doesn’t.
• If you don’t have a written marketing plan, get one. Now is the time to put your plan on paper and stop making decisions on the fly.
• Update your Web site regularly. Your Web site might be someone’s first impression of your business, so make sure it’s a good one.
• Join a social network. Social networks can be a great way to complement your existing marketing efforts. Read up on the most popular social networks, and join at least one. If you are already on a social network, look into joining another one. If you are completely lost when it comes to social networking, don’t worry. We have a class for that. Visit Visionworks.com to sign up or find out more.
• Reconnect with someone with whom you’ve lost touch. A former client, associate or business partner can be a great doorway to new connections that might become clients and potential income.
• Give back to your community. Find an organization whose mission you support, and donate time, money or business services. The organization will benefit, you’ll feel good about contributing, and the community will see the socially conscious side of your business.
• Learn something new about marketing your business. Marketing is an ever-changing field, so keeping up with the latest trends is important to reaching consumers. My firm is offering a series of marketing classes to help you keep this resolution and make your business even better than it already is. Visit us at Visionworks.com to find out more.
• Develop your strengths. It’s easier to become great at something you are already good at doing. Start by taking a class, finding a mentor or just spending a bit of extra time working on your strengths.
• Make sure all your marketing messages support your image in one cohesive brand identity. This encompasses all of the other resolutions in this list and is probably one of the most important.

Feel free to pick and choose resolutions from this list and add a few resolutions of your own. If you can keep even a few, you should notice the positive change in your business in 2010. Good luck with your New Year’s resolutions, both professional and personal. I’m off to walk my dogs!
Lili Vianello is President of Visionworks, a Columbia-based, full-service marketing and communications firm offering Web design and maintenance. Contributions to this article were made by Visionworks staff members. Visit them online at www.visionworks.com.