Improve Your Business

In my business, I am constantly redefining myself, my services and my products to stay ahead of (or at least keep up with) the ever-changing industry of marketing. If I don't bring fresh ideas to my clients and contacts on an ongoing basis, someone else will.

To stay at the forefront, I spend a significant amount of my time working "on" my business, not just “in it.” In other words, instead of just consulting with clients, I spend time away from the daily tasks to write up my ideas and products, figure out how to market them and get them on my Web site or decide how to offer them to my clients.

Unfortunately, I see hundreds of small-business owners and entrepreneurs each month who are struggling to "get it all done." You know what I mean.

What I've found is that most entrepreneurs are not taking the time to work "on" their businesses, but struggle and stress out "in" it.

Neither are these entrepreneurs open to learning new techniques for marketing, staying current on industry standards, keeping their Web sites and marketing materials up-to-date or even getting out and meeting new people to build relationships and further their business. Those who are open to it, often still don't see it a priority.

Hopefully this doesn't sound familiar to you. I've seen a large percentage of those businesses go under by not focusing on the big picture. We all know the stats on how many companies go under these days. With all the great resources available, it boggles my mind that they don't do something to prevent this.

Don’t let this happen to you. Here are some steps you can take to work more “on” your business — easily and immediately.

1. Schedule one day each month as “creative day.” On this day, you will do nothing but sit and write down all the ideas that come to your mind about how you can update or increase your business, who you know that you can work with on joint ventures, etc.

2. Schedule another day each month as “implement day.” Spend this day doing nothing but putting those ideas into action — update your Web content, write and send out press releases, plan your next workshop, etc.

3. Contact two to five other professionals. These should be people you trust and whom you can ask for their perception of your business. Ask them for ideas or feedback on what you could do to update it, freshen it, revise it, change it or add to it.

Katrina Sawa is an award-winning relationship-marketing coach who has helped hundreds of small-business owners take dramatic steps to get to the next level in business, revenues and life. She offers one-on-one coaching, group coaching and do-it-yourself marketing planning products. For more information, visit www.jumpstartyourmarketing.com.