10 New Year Revolutions
Below is a guest post from author, speaker, and business coach Andy Hanselman, who says forget New Year resolutions and start thinking New Year revolutions in 2010.
January is the time for New Year Resolutions. Well here are 10 ideas for ‘New Year Revolutions’.
Not a list of ‘do’s and don’ts, but some simple and practical things to consider that can help ‘Revolutionise’ your approach in 2010, which the evidence suggests is going to be a tough one for many of us. See it as a menu, not a recipe. Pick the stuff (or variations of it) that appeals and could work for you.
Here they are, in no particular order…
10 ‘Revolutions’ for 2010
1. Get That ‘Vision Thing’
The evidence suggests that in tougher times your people may well be looking to you for focus and drive. As well as the traditional 12 month ‘Vision Thing’, you may also need a short term one too. What are your key business priorities for the coming months? Does everyone know what they are and what they need to do to achieve them? Your job is to let them know, and get them on board.
2. Work On ‘Dialogue’, not Diatribes
Focus on creating ‘conversations’ with your people in 2010. Ask for their opinions, views and ideas. This is not just about memo’s and emails and meetings. Aim to ‘engage’ your people more this year. People are often looking for security and reassurance in tougher times. That means listening, and reacting and having ‘ongoing’ discussions on things they say are important.
3. Stand In Your Own Queues
Regularly spend time in 2010 ‘at the sharp end’. What are you like to do business with? Find out what’s stopping your people delivering what customers want. How can you make it easier?
4. Don’t Just ‘Think’ Out Of The Box – GET Out Of It
It’s easy to get drawn down into the ‘nitty gritty’ of daily business. Try to create time to make visits to companies, conferences, events and seminars (even some that have nothing to do with your industry). Read a magazine or journal, surf websites from sectors you know nothing about. The point? To get a different view and perspective. Who knows what you’ll learn?
5. Think In ‘3D’
That means being ‘Dramatically and Demonstrably Different’. What makes your business stand out? How do you demonstrate it? Remember, it’s not what you say, it’s what you do. Explore ways in 2010 to demonstrate your competitive edge in everything that you do, particularly to your existing customers who will no doubt be getting mailshots, calls and visits from your competitors desperately looking for business.
6. Value Your Values
Evidence suggests that customers are engaging more with businesses they believe in, they trust and respect. What does your business really ‘stand for’? Work on establishing, communicating and demonstrating your values. Not a list of weasly words and phrases, but a set of principles you believe in and that differentiate your business. Why not create a ‘manifesto’ that outlines what your business really is about?
7. Stand Out And Deliver
Actions speak louder than words. Concentrate on consistency. In 2010 focus everyone on creating a ‘great experience’. ‘Champion’ those in your team who ‘go the extra mile’ and deliver the goods. ‘Challenge’ those who don’t. There’s no room for ‘passengers’ in times like these.
8. Maximise Your Customer Relationships
When things slow down, it’s tempting to get out there knocking on doors and chasing ‘new’ business. Obviously, this can be very important, but I see too many businesses doing it at the expense of their existing customer relationships. Now is the time to get closer and focussed. Who are the key people you need to be getting closer to?
9. Be Visible
What are you like as role model when it comes to your key priorities? In 2010, ensure that you live your values, demonstrate your commitment to those key priorities and make sure that your actions reinforce this. That might mean taking ‘symbolic’ actions for emphasis. Not PR stunts, but genuine activities that ensure that your people know what’s high on the agenda. Ensure that in these tougher conditions no one is under any doubt about what you see as important.
10. ‘Just Do It’
When it comes to thriving or surviving, don’t just talk about it, just do it. It’s as simple as that. Commit to making 2010 your year for action, and…..’Do Something’!
Best wishes for this New Year and have a great and successful 2010!
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Andy has developed a reputation for his innovative, inspirational and stimulating approach. This is reflected in his training and motivational seminars, and is in demand as a speaker at team building events, seminars and conferences up and down the country. Having presented to over twenty thousand business leaders and decision makers Andy is recognised for his engaging, humorous, and down to earth approach. He has been recognised by Enterprise Magazine as a Future Top 100 Entrepreneur. You can reach him at AndyHanselman.com
Photo Credit: Sukanto Debnath
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I would recommend you to be a bit more specific (example) but it’s interesting goals and I believe 2010 will be a great year for many.
@Stefan
I don’t see these as much as goals as I do a mindset by which to approach the upcoming year. While Andy has provided a framework to for the year, your examples illustrate what goals within that framework would look like – thanks for sharing!
Appreciate you coming by,
Matt
Andy,
I’m digging the idea of revolutions. Never been able to get resolutions to stick. These are over the top and even making one of them a mantra for 2010 should have a profound effect.
Thanks!
George
Cheers George
You’re right -it’s not about commiting to all 10 of them – it’s very often about picking 1, although, many of them are linked and lead on to each other.
Some people do ask me which one they should commit to. I reply that it’s completely up to them and their situation, but if I’m pushed, I go for number 10 – JUST DO SOMETHING!
All the best for 2010!!!
I like # 9 Be Visible. I have been thinking of this a lot over the past 4 or 5 weeks. Making a statement and putting yourself out there to show others what is important is a good advice. Like Andy said just doing one of these would make a big impact.
Sorry I said Andy I was talking about what George commented on. By the way great article Andy I did not mention that above, sorry.
Cheers Rob – appreciate that!
Getting out of the box is really the new years revolution I want to apply to my own personal life. Literally so, as working from home can tend to make one become quite the hermit…
Go for it!
I wish I came across this post a lot earlier. But I believe every day can be a New Year’s Day if we want to make resolutions, I mean, ‘revolutions.’ I like numbers 4, 6, 7, 8 and especially number 10 — just do it! People who usually succeed are those who have a bias for action. They don’t wait for perfect conditions before taking action, they just do it!