Thanksgiving was wonderful and I'm getting geared up to tackle my finances for the tax year coming up. I'll have some useful tips for you to use at the top of the year. But for now, we're going to finish out the year in reflection.

So, you've got a look at the first five things I did differently or better during this last year and a half, that helped me add 15 new members to my family roster, and increase our revenue by 155% in PART I. Check out the last five things, print out both newsletters and keep them up somewhere were you can see them. When we forget our past we're doomed to repeat it.

Happy Holidays!!

8. "There is no correlation at all between Success and Hours Worked."

This is a quote I got from a magazine that interviewed top executives in various industries. I wish I had the name of the person who said it but it is still a powerful quote that I have posted up in my office for 24-7 viewing. I am a true work-a-holic and was one with my previous business too but, the difference this time is crucial. Instead of spending two hours on one project, I'm spending two hours to complete three projects. How could that be? I'm respecting time more than ever before and when I don't know something I ask those that do. Setting up systems that don't require my immediate attention are also an excellent way to open up more time for me to work on developing the business. An example would be my 'Request A Quote' page on my website. When prospects fill this out, it saves me the time of asking them during our consultation. Now we can spend more time discussing their creative thoughts and timeline for project completion.

9. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, Just put your stamp on it

Sometimes when you're in business for yourself, especially in the creative field you really like developing new ideas, visuals and themes. But, you have to realize that even some of the most exciting, innovative new music, videos, presentations and events are all made up of basic elements that, no matter who's involved, won't ever change. Whitney Houston's, 'I Will Always Love You,' is made up of the same musical notes as Weird Al Yankovic's, Michael Jackson parody, 'Eat It.' Your marketing presentation is made up of charts, pictures and words, just like your competitors presentation is made up of. The difference is the way you arrange those music notes and the order in which you present those charts, pictures and words. Sometimes I would spend too much time trying to create something that would be different and out of this world that I would overlook the obvious arrangement. Good businesses fulfill a need or create a need for a particular product so, your best bet is to focus on how your business can do that it a unique way.

10. Think Quickly, Act Slow

This is a piece of advice that I've seen in action and have had more and more chances to execute myself. Look at it like this. As a small business owner you have the ability to change things in your everyday activities relatively quickly. This is often times a great competitive edge to some of your larger competitors but it can also hurt you at times if you act too quickly. Let's say that you have a particular product campaign that you're trying out and it doesn't take off the way you feel it should, your first inkling may be to get rid of it all together. Even though you've got tons of other ideas that you're ready to put in it's place, you should first evaluate why your campaign may or may not have worked and see if there is something that you may be able to alter that would give you a better response. This is what I call acting slow, because you're giving your campaign some time to evolve before you pull the plug on it. I've had instances where I re-arranged the copy on my campaign and it went from a dud to a few client solicitations. So, be sure to write down all of your ideas and give each of them time to flourish.

Look these over every once and a while and don't be afraid to take out the magnifying glass on your business and highlight what has or has not been working for you.

Ciao!

Danny

How to Create a One-Page Business Plan Here.