A new year is here – a natural time to reflect on the year that’s ended and consider what you want to do differently for the next 365 days. In thinking about my own goals for 2022, I’ve been challenged by James Clear’s bestselling book “Atomic Habits.” Clear makes a claim which at first seems controversial: goals don’t drive lasting change. He writes:
“True long-term thinking is goal-less thinking. It’s not about any single accomplishment. It is about the cycle of endless refinement and continuous improvement. Ultimately, it is your commitment to the process that will determine your progress.”
Later, he writes: “A handful of problems arise when you spend too much time thinking about your goals and not enough time designing your systems.”
That being said, rather than setting specific goals for your business in 2022, here are five process shifts I recommend that can be game changers for you and your business this year.
1. Eliminate waste in your business.
Take an inventory of your budget. Where are you spending money needlessly? Are there expenses that aren’t delivering a meaningful ROI? You could be paying for subscriptions that aren’t really creating value, or buying a premium product when a less expensive version would meet your needs just as efficiently. Maybe you haven’t used a certain piece of equipment as often as you thought you would. If that’s the case, liquidate it.
Similarly, look at your schedule and customer load. Is it time to change the geographical area you serve in order to use your crews’ time more efficiently? Or, consider upselling an additional service to your outlying customers to make the trek to their property more worthwhile. If your equipment is slowing you down, maybe it’s actually time to spend some money in order to save money. Upgrade your arsenal of tools in order to spend less time on-site with each customer.
2. Outsource what you can.
Similar to eliminating waste, chances are that part of every day you’re at work is spent doing things that someone else could do, freeing up your time to pursue strategic, growth-oriented pursuits for your company. It may be time to hire administrative help for customer service or outsource your bookkeeping, for example! In order to grow, rid yourself of the daily detailed but critical tasks that someone else could manage.
3. Automate payments.
You don’t have time to chase down outstanding payments, nor should you need to! Make 2022 the year you require every customer to give you credit card authorization that you can keep on file. Then you can charge customers on the day they receive their service, tightening your bookkeeping and ensuring your cash flow is moving effortlessly. This simple change to your business practices will not only ensure you’re paid on time but also save you headaches and needless paper trails.
4. Network.
Research local civic groups like Rotary International and your chamber of commerce to find out how you can get involved. Increasing your connections will help you spread the word about your business and also meet others who may offer services of value to you. Plus, these kinds of organizations will introduce you to opportunities to give back to your local community, which pays dividends.
5. Enhance company culture.
You know that you value your employees and couldn’t survive without them, but do they know? Make a concentrated effort to express your appreciation to each person who works for you. Handwritten thank-you notes, small but thoughtful gifts or perks like an afternoon off can go a long way in showing your team how much you appreciate them. Feeling seen and valued can also change how they feel about their jobs, increasing their satisfaction and perhaps aiding your retention rate. Determine to exercise the golden rule in all communications with your team in 2022!
Wishing you a 2022 that’s prosperous and fulfilling as you make these shifts!
If you’re looking for help to find ways to do any of these, we’d love to schedule a call: account-solve.com/contact.
