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Hey, isn’t time a funny thing? As we all start thinking about our New Year’s resolutions for our small businesses, it’s weird how we can get so caught up in the holiday season that we forget the New Year is just around the corner. It’s like the here and now is so bright and loud, it drowns out what’s coming next. But even in the middle of all the holiday chaos, the first day of the new year is waiting for us, ready to offer a fresh start. This is the perfect time to not only reflect on ourselves but also to think about how we can grow our businesses in 2024.
As a small business owner and a one-person operation, I’ve navigated the tricky world of entrepreneurship, with all its unexpected twists and turns. It’s tough to find time to think about growing your business when you’re so busy dealing with the day-to-day stuff, like answering emails and dealing with client requests. Your big dreams can get lost in the shuffle, like stars hidden by city lights. It’s a balancing act, and one wrong move can throw everything off.
But I’ve learned a valuable trick in all this chaos: managing the daily grind isn’t just about sticking with it, it’s about being smart. Using free or low-cost apps and services has been a game-changer for me. They help me cut through the noise and focus on what really matters. This strategy doesn’t just make things clearer, it makes things run smoother, giving you more control over your business and helping you reach your goals.
So, this year, why not make your life a little easier? Here’s a handy New Year’s resolutions checklist for small businesses:
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Do More with Social Media: Got a Facebook account but never use it? Wish you could actually respond to customer tweets or get your Instagram going? Try Hootsuite Pro. It’s designed for small and medium-sized businesses and makes managing your social media a breeze.
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Stop Wasting Time and Money on Ad Hoc Accounting: Are you still tracking expenses manually? Every year, do you say you’ll get a better system but never do? Try Wave or Freshbooks. They’re affordable, easy to use, and loved by small business owners.
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Get a Leg Up on the Competition with Continuing Education: We all know we should keep learning, but it’s easy to put it off. This year, why not learn a new skill or brush up on an old one? You’ll grow your professional network and might even find a better way to do things.
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Put an End to Project Collaboration Woes: If your team is spread out, even small miscommunications can cause big problems. Try using a project collaboration platform like Wrike or Trello to keep everyone on the same page.
To help you keep track of your progress, here’s a checklist you can print out and tick off as you go:
| Resolutions | Implementation Strategy | Started | In Progress | Completed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expand Social Media Presence | Hootsuite Pro | |||
| Modernize Accounting Methods | Adopt Modern Software | |||
| Prioritize Continued Learning | Enroll in Online Courses | |||
| Streamline Project Collaboration | Use Project Management Tool | |||
| Enhance Email Marketing Efforts | Adopt Marketing Tools |
Remember, every step forward is progress. Good luck with your business goals in 2024!
In 2024, I’m planning to get better at bookkeeping, focus more on email marketing, and support a new charity. What about you? What are your professional resolutions for 2024? Feel free to share them in the comments below.
Happy New Year!
