Kevin and Rob from Wide Open Welding provide custom steel fabrication services within BC and are specialists in staircases and iron railings. Their quality work is well known and they are committed to building a great company. 

Finding and keeping good employees is a key component for their business and, at times, can be a challenging process. Kevin and Rob have put some innovation into their recruitment ads. Right away you get a sense of who these guys are and how they run their business.

Innovation can seem like a daunting process for any business owner. So having a new idea takes some thought and, might I say, creativity. And who has time for creativity these days?

Being innovative doesn’t have to be rocket science. Just take a look around, see what’s happening, what’s working, what’s not and have fun. It’s all about gaining attention that’s positive and attracting new customers.

I heard an interview recently of a fitness business that expected their memberships to jump more than 50% at the beginning of January and then drop off substantially in February when the enthusiasm starts to fade.

 How’s the progress going for your business resolution, your Plan for 2010?

Was it created and ready to implement well before January 1^st, did you start out the new year with great enthusiasm only to find the momentum is starting to slip or are you still wondering what outcomes you really want for this year of business?

 Here are some points to remember when creating and maintaining your plan:

• be very clear what’s important to you and where you want your business to go this year
• write down the top 10 must do’s for the year
• break those top 10 down into manageable actions
• schedule those actions in your calendar
• and, most importantly, follow through on the actions

 Your business plan is an ongoing road map that should be referred to regularly, not just at the beginning of a new year. Use it to guide you throughout the year and reap the benefits of clarity and accomplishment.

 Here’s to 2010. May it be your best year yet.

Kaitlyn and Alyssa create and sell a large selection of gift baskets that look great and contain all kinds of quality products. The baskets are so well packaged you find yourself picking them up and wondering who you could purchase one for … besides yourself!

These entrepreneurs started business at a very young age and have invested their profits in numerous real estate properties as well as donating a portion to Habitat for Humanity. They are well underway to enjoying successful lives. 

Need a special gift, check out their website www.littlehelpers.ca. They’ll gladly ship your package anywhere in Canada.

Customer recognition need not be relegated to the holiday season. Gratitude can be expressed throughout the year when it is timely to do so and it need not be an elaborate event or gift. A complementary word or comment is something we can do regularly. Sending a thank you note or how about a hand written card of appreciation. I know I remember those individuals who take the time to send me a card.

The next time you come across an article or a link to a website or a new product that may be of interest to one of your customers send it to them. It takes only a little effort and can create an impact.

Customer recognition … a year round occurrence.

What really impressed me was the last song of the evening. Alan and his crew took the time to produce a video of the community and the video was played during that song. They went that one step further in making it a great experience for everyone there.

What is the one thing you could do to go that ‘one step further’ to provide your client or customer with a great experience? Little things are the difference between mediocre and extraordinary service. Your clients and customers will notice. I know I will remember Alan’s concert and will rave about it to all who will listen.

One of the highlights was keynote speaker Les Hewitt, founder of the Power of Focus Coaching Program, seen here with me. Les challenged us to make improvements in Goal setting, Priorities, Relationships, and Habits. As well, he shared the 3 Biggest Constraints:

• Lack of Clarity – we need to be clear to be successful
• Lack of Motivation – sustained motivation aligns with what we do well, be innovative, don’t quit, have a longer term view
• Lack of Focus – focus on priorities, write the script for the week at the beginning of the week, find a Focus Partner, someone who will hold you accountable for your goals

Les also reminded us that ‘The biggest challenge you will face at the end of the conference, is the first week back at the office! That’s when you make a decision to test what you have learned, or not. Sadly, most people never follow through and their great ideas lie on a shelf, collecting dust.’

‘Make a commitment today that you will be different.’

If your goals are still in the thought process here are things to consider when creating your plan.

Are you passionate about what you are doing? If not, how can you change that?

What are all the reasons ‘Why’ you want to achieve your goal? What will it cost you to not achieve your goal?

Where do you want to end up? When? Who will be part of the plan?

Questions are a great way to open us up to the possibilities we may not have considered. As this past year has shown, the economy has been challenging for many business owners. Your plan is your guide in any market.

The key to effective business management is making the time to plan and implement those systems that lead us in the direction we want to go. We know the world will not stop if we do. By taking a step back, looking at where we are and seeing if we are indeed running in the right direction actually  helps us to focus on using our time in more productive ways.

So, I welcome you to these writings on business organizing. It will be interesting, as all journeys are, in ‘this business of business.’