Preparing for a successful 2015

For the business owner who wants to improve their business and prosper in 2015, here are a few pointers:

• Set realistic goals

  Even though goal setting is a valuable habit - if the goals lead to distress rather than success you are setting yourself up for failure. Goals need to be realistic and attainable. The easiest guide to follow is by setting SMART goals - goals that are Simple, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic and Timed. Goal setting will be the first step to achievement so take the first step wisely.

• If it is slowing you down, it has to go

  If there are areas in business that are holding you, back and affecting your productivity and growth why keep utilising them. Assess what needs to go, you will never move forward if something is holding you back. Sometimes, in order for something to grow better, a little pruning is required

• Be a better boss

  Unless you choose to be a 'one man show', you will always be dependent on your staff. If you do not treat them with loyalty and respect, they will only return the favour. If you truly want to start turning things around in your business, start investing more in the people who are working in the business to make it work. Initiate plans to encourage staff to grow, both within and outside the business, and assist them in reaching these growth points as best you can. The only way to ensure a return on investment when it comes to employees is by investing in them to begin with.

  To make 2015 your best business year yet, it is vital to put you plan in motion as soon as you can. Stop procrastinating as time waits for no man, make the changes that need to be made as soon as you can and embrace the new possibilities with an open mind.