This has been a year of increased uncertainty and a large number of businesses have struggled to stay afloat. The Corona virus has forced all businesses to examine at what they do in an attempt to improve. Regardless of the sector, business has had it hard over the last 18 months or so and as we start to see the light at the end of the tunnel it will be important to gear up and prepare for a great year of business ahead. Below are ten easy ways that you can improve your business and get it ready for success.
1. Clarify Your Goals
Start off by setting some clear goals for what you would like to achieve through the business. This may relate to your product development or be as simple as finalizing your logo and marketing message. The goals you set should lead to the overall vision of the business and are a step-by-step way to achieve the overall dream. If you know what you want to get done in 2021, it will be a lot easier to get it done. Without clear and targeted goals, you will only be limiting your business opportunities which can be expanded through far-sightedness.
2. Go Online
The current growth trends are all online. Online business is growing faster than any other business form and you need to get your product, service, or voice online. There are a myriad of ways to get your e-commerce initiative started, but the best advice to give is to ensure that the platform is genuine and has the required footfall. This will go a long way to developing your business and improving your bottom line.
3. Use Current Software That Is Integrated And Inter-Operable
With the costs of software and apps dropping as supply increases, your business must run the latest software and use apps that are current and being used by others in your sector and in your supply chain. The software and apps that you choose to use must be able to link with others that you and your suppliers, customers and staff use, or you may find yourself isolated. Data security must be a large part of your planning; neglect of this aspect has been the downfall of many a small business.
4. Outsource your Human Resources
Outsourcing your HR to a firm of experts who specialize in dealing with people is the way to go in 2021. You may ask what is HR outsourcing and how can it help your business? Outsourced HR is where you would hire either an entire company or an individual to manage and run the human resource component of your business. It will allow you to provide top quality HR, while still keeping your focus on the core of your business. By outsourcing your HR with the right professional or firm, you will be able to access industry leading software for HR functions such as pay roll, keeping track of benefits and leave, as well as staff development and training. Information abounds around HR outsourcing and it is worth investigating fully, as this is definitely one of the ways you can improve your business in 2021.
5. Improve Financial Management
The cents and quarters are what will count in the final reckoning. This aspect of your business must not be neglected as it is finance that drives the business and as such must be the first thing on the agenda list. Of course, making money, selling a product or service is only the first step, as what the business then does with the money will determine its future success. Only a professional must manage and report on your finances – if that is not you, then ensure you have done your research and find someone who can help.
6. Study Further
You and those who work within your organization should be encouraged to study further and improve their skills as much as possible, which can then be used to develop the business or bring in new ideas. Most courses are now available online and so it has never been easier to take advantage of the trending online learning, the webinars and free tutorials that can improve your business.
7. Build a Brand
Spend 2021 developing your brand. Every product, service, or business has a back story, write yours down and start telling it, for in the telling of it, it will begin to become more real. The story must be able to promote what it is you do, and this will form the basis of your brand. Quality must be a part of this and associate it with your brand through the perfection of product and service.
8. Be in the Know
Know current trends in your sector or line of business. What is hot and what is not is important in the digital age where opinions spread like wildfire and trends can change like the weather. Knowing the trends in your sector will allow you to stay relevant while focusing your business energies in the right directions. You should maximize flexibility to improve sales. Network with others in the sector, follow the leaders in the sector and do your market research. Knowing what your customers or clients want will be critical for the future of your business.
9. Rationalize your Supply Chains
Know what you need and when you need it and try to get it local. It is proven that a significant business expense and cause of lag times and delays is a fragmented supply chain. If covid has taught the business sector anything it should be that the closer your suppliers and the tighter your supply chain the less likelihood of interferences or obstructions. It’ is also a great current story to be able to tell, using local suppliers to create local products is a big selling point.
10. Commit
If this business is for you and something that you see a future in and hope for success, then you need to commit. Many an entrepreneur is in business to provide a great service or product and to make money but has yet to really commit to the idea that starting and running a business is all consuming and needs more than 8 hours a day. Understand from the outset that running a startup or small business and being an entrepreneur will require the longest days you have ever worked if you are to be successful.
These are ten simple things that you can start doing today to get your business into the fast lane.
