For many of us, mid-December is a slower time in our business. This is both a welcome relief, *and* a wonderful opportunity for you to work ON your business rather than just IN your business. Without setting time aside to work ON your business you will find it very difficult to grow your business.
Here are ten things to consider between now and December 31st:
1. Do you have boundaries around your business practices (i.e., hours, availability, rates, turnaround times)?
Boundaries are simple a way for you to say ‘yes’ to yourself and your business. Boundaries also show your clients that you take yourself seriously as a business owner and respect not only your time but their time.
2. Do you know what you are going to charge and why?
It is important that you are solid in your decision to charge a certain price. It does not matter if this price is hourly, per package, or a retainer. If you waffle on this important piece of your business you set the tone with your clients that they can bargain rates with you. The ‘why’ part of this question is important for YOU only, as you do not (and should not) feel you have to justify your rates. Just be sure you are solid and comfortable in your reasoning.
3. Do you know who your Ideal Client is?
If you don’t know "who you are doing what to" how can you expect to be successful? You can’t, and shouldn’t, be all things to all people. A Target Market or Niche Market is not your Ideal Client. You need to be much more specific in "who you do what to" in order to be more successful.
4. Do you have a website?
There really is no excuse for not having a website. If you are not web-savvy either use a template based website or think about hiring someone to create the website for you. The WordPress blog platform is a very popular format today. (I know several savyy VA’s who can help you create one if you need help. Get in touch with me if you need some names.) Make sure your website speaks to your Ideal Client.
5. Do you have a marketing plan?
Like a business plan (and you do have one, right?), this is an important detail! How do you know where you’re going if you don’t have a plan or a map? It’s like getting dressed up with no place to go. Take some time and lay out a plan. This does not have to be 50 pages. If you can lay out a plan in 1 or 2 pages, then go for it! As long as it makes sense to you and you have a map to follow that’s all that is important. Napkins work well in keeping it short, sweet, and to the point!
6. Do you have specific, measureable goals for 2012?
Without specific, measureable goals anything you achieve will be fine, but it is really? Make the goal a bit of a stretch. If it’s too easy you won’t do it, and if it’s too hard you won’t do it. Find a happy middle ground and go for it!!
7. Have you identified your opportunities?
In looking at your business, do you know where the opportunities for continued success lie? If no, now would be a good time to take a look. Do you need to do something different in 2012?
8. If you answered yes to above question, do you have specific plans to capitalize on those opportunities?
Again, without a plan anything you do is fine, right? Do you need to investigate the opportunity further? Do you need to spend time creating ‘it’? Whatever you need to do be sure and create a plan of when you are going to actually DO it and not just think about it.
9. Have you analyzed your success in 2011 so you can continue to capitalize on those strengths in 2012?
You should always know what is working for you and what is not working for you. Always. And if you haven’t kept track, now is a wonderful time to set up a system so that next year you can answer ‘yes’ to this question!
10. Does your 2012 calendar have a day set aside each quarter where you are analyzing and planning?
You should have at least one day each quarter where you work ON your business. Plan a day out of the office where you can let the creative juices flow. Don’t limit yourself! Write everything down. You never know when a crazy idea may be the perfect idea!
To help you with your planning, I’ve attached an Action Sheet here for you.
Here’s to a successful 2012! 
