Looking at this year’s sales, you may feel compelled to be disappointed about your overall business or next year’s projections.
That’s how I felt after my first two years in business.
It seemed as though nothing would change my sales for the better, but I never thought about quitting.
Instead, I applied pen to paper and began documenting which ideas were harmful to my business (wasting money with no return on investment) and which ones were valuable (increases occurred each time I completed the strategy).
When I decided to plug up the holes and concentrate on what worked to put my gift baskets into clients’ hands, that’s when profits increased.
The most-difficult part of business seems to be the planning — taking time to sit by yourself or with partners and map out the plan. If you take time to device monthly strategies, with the end goal in mind, you’ll see a marked difference in your gift basket business in 2010.
Were you happy with or disappointed about this year’s sales, and why?
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
You’ve got that right about planning being the important part of business. I have lots more room for growth to reach my goals.
Hi Flora,
Setting a firm foundation is often the most difficult part of business ownership, but without it, success would be slim or none.
This past year I made more of an effort to develop more marketing strategies for my business. Creating blogs and sending out regular newsletters helped increase my sales. While I still have room for much more growth, I’m confident that by planning and implementing additional techniques, 2010 will be even better.
Documenting which ideas worked and which ones did not is also something I intend to do. Thanks as always.
Consuela
I’m so glad to learn that your marketing plans elevated your profits, Consuela.
I know you’ll piggyback off that success this year, and your sales, as well as the value you give to customers, will swell substantially.