Ed Lieber Discusses Business Planning Tips for 2010

We’ve just finished a year when we’ve been bruised and battered as we’ve all worked to keep our businesses open. This is definitely the time to “make lemonade out of lemons” and get busy on planning for a better year ahead.

If concentrating on your bottom line gets you depressed, and you know you’ve instituted every cost-saving measure you can think of, then shift your focus to the top line … gross sales. It’s absolutely essential that you keep your current customers happy so they don’t go shopping around. Call them and meet with each one of them face-to-face and discuss how you can help each other. Empower your employees to immediately respond to complaints and solve them to the customer’s satisfaction. Make sure you are taking advantage of every opportunity to increase the value of your current customers: encourage customer feedback to see what they really value and then give it to them.

Review your business plan with your ELLS advisor. Set goals that are realistic and achievable and share these goals with your employees. Provide them with the tools they will need to meet your expectations.

Be vigilant about backing up data. Commit to make better use of technology to keep your business protected from possible failure. Remember, living in California can mean you’re just a minute away from a natural disaster of some sort. Affordable off-site backup system protect you even further by storing your critical data at another location. Your ELLS advisor can assist you in finding the right solution to your needs.

Approach 2010 as a new beginning and an opportunity to create new ways to grow and prosper. Your ELLS advisor is here to help in whatever way we can. If you have any questions please feel free to give us a call.