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Ten 2012 Resolutions to Boost your Business
From Your Friends At Pro Line Systems International Inc.
For All Your Body Shop Equipment 305-793-9503
Everyone tries to make New Year resolutions on New Year's Eve, typically they're personal and hard to keep. Think about how many times you have done the same in the past and how many of those resolutions did you actually accomplish?
Here are ten simple New Year resolutions for you to implement in 2012; all are proven techniques to boost your business and your life, best of all, they're achievable and rewarding.
Print these business boosting ideas out Right Now, stick them on a wall near your desk, and make a concerted effort to complete as many as you can. Your business and your life will love you for it.
1. Start setting Your goals.
Embracing even these ten resolutions for the coming year illustrates the power of goal setting. Many of us wander through life without really considering where we want to be. A good analogy is planning a trip from Point A to Point B. As important as it is that you sort out transport, supplies, timelines, and other elements, the most important tool for the journey is to know how to get there. Unless you have a plan, you'll never arrive at your destination.
Think of goal setting as the process of drawing the map of your future life. Paint the picture of where you would like to see yourself at the start of 2012, and then write a list of actions that you'll need to undertake to reach this goal. Start with the more obtainable goals, to build your motivation and confidence, and you'll soon find yourself well on your way to your destination.
2. Ask customers for a referral.
It seems simple, yet many business owners never consider asking their existing clients for contacts with others who may need your services. It can seem to be another thing to do the first few times, but it pays off. Your request could even be something as simple as an email sent at the end of a project to ask the client for feedback on the project, followed by a simple "If you know anybody who might appreciate our services, please recommend us."
It's amazing how simple it is to ask for a referral. We all typically trust recommendations far more than any advertisement - think of all the times friends or colleagues have given you a recommendation for a supplier, tradesperson, and so on. The best part is that word of mouth doesn't need to cost any more than a thank you card or a free offer ex: (Car Detail) to show your thanks.
3. Focus on Profit, not just More Work.
Over the years, I've met business owners who are ecstatic about their increasing turnover business, but neglect to watch their profits. A business making a profit margin of 20% on a monthly turnover of $10,000 is far ahead of a business with a turnover of $100,000 that makes only a 1% profit margin.
Sure, turnover is great and it is important if done right, but how would you feel if you could make twice as much profit for a tenth of the effort (and risk). Doesn't that sound terrific? Look at tactics such as reducing overheads, increasing your rates, letting less profitable clients go, implementing new products and services and focussing on your most high profit areas & activities. Never underestimate the returns of even a small increase to your hourly rate.
"IF YOU ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE, YOU'LL ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT"
4. Never Stop Learning About Business
Ask any entrepreneur about their knowledge, and you'll normally find the most successful people are those who are willing to admit their own weaknesses. It's a fact - we can't be born experts in everything to do with business, but with some dedication, we can get a little smarter. Ask yourself where you feel your business knowledge weaknesses are, then find a course or books that can help you to learn more. There are plenty of short courses that only require an hour or two a week, as well as online courses, blogs and web sites that can help you boost your business knowledge. Find your local library and join up - most libraries have hundreds of books on business topics. Again, invest in yourself...
5. Take time-out for yourself.
Ask any business leader his or her number one complaint, and the most common reply will be that there's not enough time to spend with family or on hobbies. The most disturbing part is that it's often not the demands of business that absorb all of our time. We've become used to working long hours, when in actual fact, being smarter about how you spend your office time can allow you to enjoy more home time.
Try planning activities that require your attention out of the office and away from communication - take a walk with your children, go camping for a weekend, or head to a museum and turn off your phone. If the thought of having an email-free evening scares you, your business is in control of you, and you're not in control of your business.
6. Create Opportunities that Generate income.
As an automotive collision repair specialist you'll need to think out of the box by exploring ways to create more in house profits if you are to achieve any form of greater success and profit in 2012. After all you have the facility so start thinking of what you can implement in your own business to generate more cash flow in your bank account rather than someone else's. Sublet to yourself... for instance, you may be sending your wheel alignments to the guy down the street. He's glad to take your job and do it for profit so why aren't you?
Example: Consider doing your own wheel alignments.
Go Here where you can see how much profit you are losing by not capitalizing on this very affordable and easy to do procedure right on your frame rack or vehicle lift or shop floor.
7. Delegate Effectively.
We all want to work less and earn more. Here's one of the greatest secrets of time management: successful delegation. Start by writing down every activity you undertake for an entire week, then review the results.
There are likely a number of activities that don't help you achieve your goals, or could be done by other team members. Focus on working to get those low-payoff activities either delegated or dumped. If you're a solo worker, perhaps consider outsourcing these duties to somebody you know who could do the work. Considering your hourly rate, is it more effective to pay an accountant $60 an hour to do five hours' work, or spend 40 hours on it yourself? Hiring a professional by the hour will often work out cheaper, and can save you valuable time.
8. Focus On (Praise Worthy) Customer Service.
It's easy when you're absorbed in delivering to tight deadlines, juggling 100's of projects, or just having a manic few weeks to forget the reason you have this work. That reason is clients. Clients matter, so unless you're hoping to lose a few, you'd better remember what it's like to be a client, and recall your memories of the best service you've ever received.
Now, set yourself a challenge to outdo that service experience, and outdo it over and over again. Take a look at every method by which you have contact with clients - telephone, emails, meetings, even invoices. Is there something you can change to ensure the relationships that you are building now will be long lasting?
9. Build Rock-Solid Procedures & Policies.
The right procedures will make your business run more efficiently. A good system will allow for increased workload and reduce the amount of effort you need to spend on repetitive activities. Just about everyone has heard the story of middle-aged milkshake salesman Ray Kroc, and how he created systems in fast food retailing to build his little hamburger chain (McDonalds) into the mammoth business it is today.
Ask friends who know the story and they will give you the same answer - his success was driven by the fact that he created procedures for every single element of his business. Having procedures reduces the chance of errors, and increases your ability to think beyond the routine. Think of the differences between a business with procedures and one without, then consider what would happen to each business if you were hit by a bus, or took extended leave. Which would survive?
10. And Of Course.
We Are "Body Shop Equipment Specialists" Remember to always rely on us for advice regarding your collision equipment purchase, Service, Consultation and 24/7 support
Go to Pro Line Systems International Inc. 305-793-9503
Make Those Resolutions Now.
For All Your Body Shop Equipment
305-793-9503
http://prolinesystems.net