From Precious | Business Advice December,
2009
Do you need help to achieve the best results for your business?
Ask our leading business coaching expert Rasheed Ogunlaru
Are you unclear on how to set practical goals? Is something holding you back?
Yes?! Then head for the Precious Couch, together we can work it out!!
Precious has invited leading business coaching expert Rasheed Ogunlaru to help your business achieve its full potential. This is a rare opportunity to get some free top quality business support. Rasheed is a leading UK-based life coach, business coach and motivational speaker, and all round great guy (we at Precious know so!). Each month Rasheed will answer a dilemma on your business issues.
To put forward your question to Rasheed, email him at: rasheed@preciousonline.co.uk Let us know, we can change your name if you prefer discretion!
Have a look at this month's letter from Rochelle and Rasheed's answer just below::
Dear Rasheed,
I’m in my first year of business (I sell luxury goods through my online shop)
It has been a very tough year for me but I am managing to keep my head above water (just!)
I would really appreciate some advice on how to wind down for Xmas and still keep a fresh perspective for next year. I’m worrying about how to motivate myself to keep my eyes on the prize for the coming year despite the challenges, which can be a little daunting.
Can you help?
best, Rochelle, Soho, London
Rasheed replies:
Dear Rochelle,
Thanks for getting in touch.
First of all give yourself lots of credit; it’s
been one of the toughest years in business for a generation. You’ve done
well to keep your head above water in your first year. You’re also right
about what you need to. These tips will help you wind down for Christmas
and prepare for The New Year. They fall under 3 headings, review, relax and
re-charge.
Review:
• What has gone well this year personally and in the business? (be specific)
• What has sold well and who/where precisely has the business come from?
• What hasn’t gone well? What have been the challenges and what can you learn
from them?
• Where do your competitors do well and badly, and what lessons can
you apply?
• What’s the customer feedback been? What are the trends in your business
sector?
• Where are the areas you need to develop yourself, your team and your business?
Based on this identify any actions to take to prepare for the Christmas break.
Thank your customers, suppliers, staff and supporters. Ensure everyone is
informed of any special arrangements for the holiday period. As with many
in online retailing Christmas and New Year may be a huge marketing opportunity
so take time to prepare – and to make sure that you’re covered – especially
if you’ll be taking a break.
Rest / relax:
Now that you’ve taken stock, you’re well placed to be relax and unwind;
• Take your diary and put free time, planning time and social family time
into it;
• Now that you’ve made that time... how would you like to spend it?;
• Indentify what helps you wind down (time alone, with friends/family, hobbies,
time away?);
• To wind down, ensure that you don’t have too much in it that will tire
you out or wind you up
Recharge / refocus
The review and rest phase should do a lot toward recharging and refocusing.
• Based on your review you can set specific, motivating, but manageable
goals for you and your business – ensure that they are very clear financial,
management,
operational and marketing goals;
• Ask yourself what tools, team and support you need if any to reach these
goals;
• Put time in your diary to regularly review your business;
• Identify how you spend your time now and how it ideally needs to be spent.
Many businesses owners spend too much time on admin and too little on marketing
/ business development;
• My
Making it as an Entrepreneur workshop is also a good place to be re-focused
/ re-motivated
Enjoy your rest and review and I hope these actions help it to be a Happy New Year.
Best wishes, Rasheed