New Year, Same You: Building on Your Foundation
Hello, 2023! As we enter a new year, it is only natural to feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for what this year brings. We’ve made resolutions and set new goals for ourselves – whether that means losing weight, learning a new skill, or growing our business. However, when it comes to running a business, it is important to remember that the key to success is often consistency and staying true to your core values and identity. Just because it’s a new year, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel and start from scratch.
That does not mean that you shouldn’t set new goals or make changes to your business – in fact, growth and evolution are important for any business, no matter what industry. It is important to approach these changes with a focus on maintaining the things that make your business unique and successful. Build on the foundation of the business you currently have. Sometimes, achieving success means growing what you have already established with a few touch ups here and there.
When building on the foundation of an established and successful business, consider the following suggestions:
Reflect on your values and vision
Take some time to consider what makes your business special and what you hope to achieve in the long run. What are your core values and how do they guide your decision making? Understanding your values and vision can help to ensure that you are staying true to yourself and your business as you move forward.
Focus on your target audience
It can be tempting to try to appeal to as many people as possible, but it’s important to remember that it’s impossible to please everyone. Instead, focus on your target audience and the specific needs and desires of this group. By staying true to your target audience, you can better serve their needs and build a strong, loyal customer and clientele base.
Continue to invest in your team
Your team is a critical component of your business – it is important to have a cohesive group of people working towards a common goal. Get their feedback and find out what their expectations are for the new year. Create a positive company culture that encourages collaboration and sharing ideas. Make sure everyone on your team feels like they’re heard and seen.
Stay true to your brand identity
Your brand identity is what sets you apart from your competitors and gives your business a unique personality. Make sure to consistently communicate your brand identity through all aspects of your business, including your visual design and messaging. This can help to establish trust and credibility with your audience and differentiate your business from the competition.
Embrace change, but don’t lose sight of your roots
Change is an important part of any business. It’s important to be open to new ideas and opportunities. However, it’s also important to remember the things that have made your business successful in the past and to keep them at the core of your strategy. This might mean sticking with a certain product or service that has proven to be popular or maintaining a certain company culture that has contributed to your success.
Stay in touch
Maintain your business relationships. Schedule a quick phone call to check in on your existing contacts. Make time for an in-person meeting over lunch or happy hour with existing collaborators. Follow up on last year’s leads and check in on what they may need for this year. Often, opportunities arise from people who are already familiar with your business and what you bring to the table. Continue to strengthen those relationships.
Consider touch ups to your image
You don’t need a complete overhaul to have a new look or a new vibe. Sometimes, you just need a touch up here and there—a splash of color, repositioning the menu on the homepage, or even updating team photos. Maybe your logo just needs a certain je ne sais quoi, or your website needs to get freshened up. Think about hiring a graphic or website designer to make those revisions for you.
As a business owner, building on the foundation of business, and growing what you currently have is a way to maintain continued success. It is easy to be swept up in the excitement of the new year and the temptation to just start over from scratch. That is why it is important to develop year-end practices such as setting your business goals and taking time to pause and reflect. The New Year can mean another year to grow, maintain, and stay true to your identity.
The good news is that if you need assistance with a few touch ups here and there, Cowe Communications offers a wide array of services for your business and brand development needs. Visit our website at cowe.com or contact us at info@cowe.com for your free brand audit and consultation!
