After a painful 2010, we greet 2011 full of optimism. No need to make any far-fetched resolutions, just stand resolute in not repeating any mistakes of the past. It is easy to make mistakes in business and in life, however it is the lessons learned from those errors that determine your success. Once you fully evaluate the cost of your fumbles, it is clearly up to you and your team to decide how best to get to the goal.
Sometimes it is necessary to change course.
By changing course we simply mean that you may have to alter your approach or strategy in order to arrive at the desired destination.
Perhaps you've been active in the social networking arena and publicizing your business and services, but is it translating into sales? You might want to shift your focus to real world advertising to find new customers. Maybe you've been using the same business card for years, but you or your business has taken on a new role, you might want to refresh your image. Maybe your website needs to be revamped. Is it attracting enough customers? Have you visited a trade show recently? Have you looked at what your competition is doing? Business is not about being in a vacuum, but rather about staying ahead of the curve and knowing when to make worthwhile adjustments.
When you decide to change course, bear in mind that your goal or objective does not have to shift, just the means by which you arrive.
So go ahead, change course. Alter your approach. Nip and tuck your business strategy. You might even want to do a complete overhaul of your business model.
For example, my family and I recently had the opportunity to dine at Don Coqui in New Rochelle on New Years Day. To our surprise, the owner Jimmy Rodriguez was doing the hosting duties for the evening. We used to be avid fans of Jimmy's Bronx Cafe and have eaten at all of Jimmy's previous dining facilities including, Jimmy's Uptown, Jimmy's City Island, and the short-live Jimmy's Cafe Restaurant. Jimmy's story is one filled with climbs and descents, but his arrival at Don Coqui is simply a matter of changing course over the years and adapting to the obstacles that present themselves. From selling seafood on the street to overseeing the orchestration of more than a 100 plates, it is safe to say that Jimmy's goal has never really changed, just the route by which it was achieved.
So, as you plan out your year, be conscious of when and where you might need to change course, you will eventually get where you are going.
See you at the top.
-whatdabusinessis.com
