As we end one year and look forward to a new one it is always a time of reflection on the victories and the defeats, the accomplishments and the failures, the reaching of goals or the failure to reach them, the profits or the losses. If there were more victories than defeats, more accomplishments than failures, we reached more goals than we failed to reach, and we ended with a profit and not a loss then we had a great year. Even if the opposite of all these things is true and we grew as people and we were able to help our employees, our customers, and our families it was still a good year. Even if our business failed in 2014 and we still have the drive to try it again, this time armed with more knowledge, it was still a good year.
Since I believe that you are looking at 2015 with optimism, I wanted to give you some things to think about as you go into the New Year. In thinking about what to write to you I ran across a blog post in the Huffington Post written by John Swanciger, CEO of Manta. (Read the entire post Here!!) In it he says, and I agree that, "Changes in technology, growing cybersecurity concerns, and shifts in the political landscape are all top of mind as small business owners enter 2015."
Here are some excerpts from that post:
Since I believe that you are looking at 2015 with optimism, I wanted to give you some things to think about as you go into the New Year. In thinking about what to write to you I ran across a blog post in the Huffington Post written by John Swanciger, CEO of Manta. (Read the entire post Here!!) In it he says, and I agree that, "Changes in technology, growing cybersecurity concerns, and shifts in the political landscape are all top of mind as small business owners enter 2015."
Here are some excerpts from that post:
New Year, New Tools
Social media has made a major impact in the way businesses attract and keep customers, both old and new. While most small business owners know that it's important to utilize various social channels, many do not know how to tailor their strategy to the specific medium in order to maximize customer reach.
Smart small business owners will be looking for new ways to engage with their current customers. Studies have shown that there is a higher return on investment for social media platforms when business owners focus on building loyalty and relationships with current customers. What better way to interact with your customers on a more personal level than by using social media as a tool?
Social media has made a major impact in the way businesses attract and keep customers, both old and new. While most small business owners know that it's important to utilize various social channels, many do not know how to tailor their strategy to the specific medium in order to maximize customer reach.
Smart small business owners will be looking for new ways to engage with their current customers. Studies have shown that there is a higher return on investment for social media platforms when business owners focus on building loyalty and relationships with current customers. What better way to interact with your customers on a more personal level than by using social media as a tool?
Protecting Your Business
31 percent of small business owners said they are concerned about having customer credit card information stolen through a point-of-sale breach, according to a recent Manta survey. Though small business owners don't typically have the in-depth security knowledge, time or resources to effectively protect themselves against targeted attacks, it will be important for small business owners to continuously educate themselves in order to protect both their business and their customers.
31 percent of small business owners said they are concerned about having customer credit card information stolen through a point-of-sale breach, according to a recent Manta survey. Though small business owners don't typically have the in-depth security knowledge, time or resources to effectively protect themselves against targeted attacks, it will be important for small business owners to continuously educate themselves in order to protect both their business and their customers.
Changes in Washington, D.C.
With major Republican wins in the November midterm elections, a majority of small business owners across the political spectrum are optimistic there will be policy changes benefiting small businesses.
You know the important role that small business plays in the nation's economy, and so does, government from the smallest township to Washington, DC. Small businesses hires the most employees, is most innovative, and is most optimistic about the future. Even though we will face challenges in 2015 there will also be fantastic opportunities. If you're prepared 2015 will be your best year yet. Work with your consultants and advisers if you don't have in-house expertise in specific areas. You as the owner, President, or CEO, have the ideas, the drive, and have taken most of the risks, but that doesn't mean that you know everything that you need to know in order to succeed. One of the most important decisions you can make in 2015 is to decide to get expert help when you need it.
I pray that 2015 is a breakout year for you even if 2014 was highly successful for you. Who says that you can't more than one breakout year. As long as you use the knowledge that you acquired in 2014 and all the years before and you are prepared to use all the expertise that you can get in 2015 you will be poised for success in the New Year beyond.
With major Republican wins in the November midterm elections, a majority of small business owners across the political spectrum are optimistic there will be policy changes benefiting small businesses.
You know the important role that small business plays in the nation's economy, and so does, government from the smallest township to Washington, DC. Small businesses hires the most employees, is most innovative, and is most optimistic about the future. Even though we will face challenges in 2015 there will also be fantastic opportunities. If you're prepared 2015 will be your best year yet. Work with your consultants and advisers if you don't have in-house expertise in specific areas. You as the owner, President, or CEO, have the ideas, the drive, and have taken most of the risks, but that doesn't mean that you know everything that you need to know in order to succeed. One of the most important decisions you can make in 2015 is to decide to get expert help when you need it.
I pray that 2015 is a breakout year for you even if 2014 was highly successful for you. Who says that you can't more than one breakout year. As long as you use the knowledge that you acquired in 2014 and all the years before and you are prepared to use all the expertise that you can get in 2015 you will be poised for success in the New Year beyond.
