Top Resolutions for 2009 will work for 2010

In early 2009, Dr. Susan L. Reid, a business coach and consultant, posted about the top ways to keep your business profitable.

I liked it, kept it, and found myself referring to it through the year.

She asked us to ask ourselves:

• Why am I in business?

• What are the values that were important to me when I began my business?

• What values have I let slide while trying to succeed?

I pondered those questions throughout the year and found it helped me stay focused and in the game in new ways.  For example, it helped me to continue working on the Sales Rescue Team project even though there's no immediate money from it, but it sure feels good to talk with lots of fellow entrepreneurs and small biz owners and offer advice and referrals and ideas. That's why I am in business: To serve other small biz owners.

It is no coincidence that I picked up Po Bronson's book, What Should I Do with My Life? again and again this year -- mostly for the inspiration that so many of his stories provide.

Her #10 item was this:

10. Strengthen Relationships. 

She cites Keith Ferrazzi who says there is no such thing as a business relationship. All relationships are personal. 

My question to myself was this: Am I separating the personal part and losing business because I'm all business?  I used to focus on the person first -- was that a value that I had let slide? Was it the economy? I had to dig deeper and the answers and exploration helped me serve my customers with greater enthusiasm and joy and passion.

Thanks to Susan Reid kicking it off with a good post. Her site is found at: Alkamae.com

---

TJ McCue is a small business owner.