2011 business reflections

What are your business reflections going into the new year?

As 2011 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on another year in business. Last year I found it extremely therapeutic to review the triumphs and tribulations of the business year by writing them down, so this year I thought I’d throw the challenge over to you also.

Here are two business related questions I’d like you to contemplate:
1. What did you learn in 2011?
2. What will you change in 2012?
From there of course, you will be able to reset your course in 2012. Well, that’s the idea anyway.

I accepted the challenge myself and ended up writing nearly of page of business learning’s, some of which carried over into my personal life. Of course, I won’t bore you with a page of reflections.

Instead here are my top 5 business discoveries of 2011:

Never underestimate your value
When I started BizEez Virtual Solutions in early 2010, I hated talking money… I still do! BUT, as a business owner I know we provide a much needed service. Actually, I’m experienced in a niche area of high demand and yet for much of 2011 I would avoid invoicing, hate to ask for payment when it wasn’t forthcoming within the payment terms and have, on occasion, been known to undervalue our experience by charging well below industry standard.

Why?

Well… I put it down to two simple reasons ~ the digital marketing/social media industry is relatively new and, I didn’t appreciate my own knowledge and experience….. until recently.

Plan
Every business needs a plan or strategy i.e. achievable goals that will set its’ course of action. My personal motto in life is: ‘it’s the journey, not the destination’. My sometimes laissez-faire life approach or what I christen the ‘she’ll be right mate’ attitude just won’t suffice in most businesses – the journey may be exciting, but it is the plan that sets the direction.

We recently hired a business mentor for BizEez who has helped not only set the business direction, but assisted in so many more ways. The PLAN is extremely important…. My personal advice though is that the plan should be flexible enough to meet your unique business needs.

Learn daily
Sounds simple, but as business owners we get so entrenched in running our business, we forget skillsets and knowledge bases change and we may need to adjust with the ever evolving times. Within the social media arena this may be more applicable, so I personally ensure 2 hours are put aside daily to read, listen to webinars, absorb and learn.

I’ve also learnt from my workshops, webinars and speaking events in 2011 – now that I have a number of events under my belt,  I’m feeling right at home on the stage, which I’m happy about, because it means I’m poised to get the message out in 2012!

Listen to your body
Never underestimate your body. As business owners we can work extremely crazy hours – sometimes 7 days a week. My personal experience has led me to the hire remedial massage therapist (who is also a client), try attend a daily gym session and a stretch out on a lumber roll every few hours.  I sit all day and I must say, my productivity and creativity has doubled and no more 3pm brain fades! I highly recommend it.

Social Media
This may sound comical coming from someone who works in social media, but I’ve learnt this from experience: social media is part of your marketing arsenal ~ spend money on it!

I timesheet hours spent on clients work and have recently started to evaluate the hours spent on BizEez’s social media marketing. It really has made a difference now that I know how much time I actually spend on marketing. My advice to everyone who manages their social media marketing, please realise the $ value you spend and your return on investment.

Be thankful & support others
My business is doing well in these difficult economic times and I put some of it down to these 5 learning’s:
• I don’t overcharge for my business services, yet I value my experience and so do now my clients;
• I respect social media marketing and use it to the best of my capability;
• I have a business strategy in place;
• My business is constantly evolving within its industry; and
• I personally do try exercise (note not as much as I should!) just so I can keep up with this this creative, yet hectic industry.

I’m extremely grateful that I can follow my dream, work for myself and in an area I am so passionate about. Consequently besides being thankful, I believe in supporting others and assisting the community, whether that is the global community or our local community in the Barossa Valley. It is not just something I simply choose to do, but is actually an important part of our business culture (see our values).

What I need to change in 2012….

Being a better friend
In 2011, my priority was work and my immediate family, so much so my dearest friends took a back seat. I hope to be a better friend in 2012.

Your Turn. What About You?
What did you learn in 2011 & what will you change in 2012? Write your 2011 reflections. Post it in the comments or put it on your blog and link back to BizEez Virtual Solutions so I’ll get a Google alert and can check out what you have posted!

Happy new year & until next time…..

Tania  (39 Posts)

Tania is a social media consultant, presenter and trainer. Originally from “The Alice”, she now happily calls Australia’s famous wine community ~ the Barossa Valley home. Her joys in life include great wine & food, Formula 1; a heartfelt laugh with friends and of course the social web. Favourite Quote: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life" ~ Confucius

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