10 December 2019

Can New Year’s resolutions change your business in 2020?

The repeated setting of New Year's resolutions is often futile. It's something a third of us do every year, but our best efforts are largely doomed to failure. Our personal intentions - whether it's eating healthily, giving more to charity, swearing less or doing more exercise - generally suffer from lack of accountability as we find it all too easy to let ourselves down.

So how about setting some New Year's resolutions for your business instead? And maybe sharing them with colleagues to make sure the new habits stick? We've put together a list of ideas which, with a little commitment, might really change the way you do business and make for a successful 2020.

I'll delegate more

The New Year is a good time to review your workload and hand over some tasks. Although delegation is one of the hardest challenges for people managers, many find that once they begin to let go, it comes more easily. To get started, keep a record of everything you do during the work day. Which of these tasks could - with a little trust and training - be handled by someone else? Remember though, delegating is a process - once you've delegated tasks you still need to provide motivation, encouragement and clear goals.

I'll be greener

2019 showed the planet getting serious about climate change. It's now the norm for print buyers to demand the most environmentally-friendly products and services, and to look for Chain of Custody FSC or PEFC accreditations. Minimising waste and energy consumption is also generally a money saver in the long run. So what can you do to ensure your business is as eco-friendly as possible in 2020? Start by contacting BPIF Specialist Services*, which can review your current practices and help you go greener, without disrupting your daily work.

I'll do more promotion

Day-to-day operations often overtake the pursuit of new business. But ensuring existing customers pick up the phone, and that new customers will come on board, is worth investing time in. Do you have a list of email addresses you can use to circulate new promotions, special offers and news? If not, it's time to build one. Do you have social media up and running? If not, it's easy to set up and maintain a simple Facebook page, enabling you to start conversations with customers and build a community around your business.

I'll get the website sorted

It's all too easy to write, design and publish a website, then leave it to stagnate for months or even years. If your website is looking old and tired, it'll make your business look old and tired too. A website is the modern equivalent of a shop window, so it's important that it's stylish, up-to-date and informative. Does it show off your current products and services? Does it promote your social media platforms? Is it easy to use from a mobile phone? And can Google find it? If you answered no to any of these questions, a professional web designer and copywriter can help.

I'll network more

Socialising with your peers is another good business practice that falls to the bottom of the list when things are busy. Yet networking can not only help build new relationships, it can also inspire, educate, inform and keep you up to date with news from the industry. Make time for networking events in 2020 - check the BPIF's event page (www.britishprint.com/bpif-events) for member get-togethers, not least Members' Day on 14 June.

For more information on how the BPIF could help your business in the New Year contact your Regional Team.

*Contact Specialist Services on 01924 203335