How Is Your Business Doing This Year? - Small Business Trends

How is your business doing this year? Before you answer, what have you make 2011 a better year? It?s been a ?mixed bag? for small business?s this year as the infographic from the Inuit Small Business Blog clearly shows. But that doesn?t mean you have to like it! Here are some things you can do to make your business better today:

Getting Started

Work at establishing trust? If you want your business to do better now and in the future, ask yourself first what you are doing to establish trust? This includes trust that your employees have in each other established through your company culture. But it should also include the trust your customers have for your product and brand. What Do You Want From Them

Build your online reputation. One of the best ways to do this, according to blogger Mariam Noronha, is through doing guest posting for business blogs. Often these blogs are in perpetual need of quality content and will give you an excellent opportunity to showcase your expertise and personal brand or that of your business. If writing isn?t your strength, possibly someone else in your company, a partner or family member could help. TheOneOfAKindPreneur

Networks & Strategy

Network, network, network. The meaning and tools of networking continue to evolve, online especially. Here we take a tour of the newest entry into the online networking game, the new Google+. Make no mistake, networking is hugely important to your business and, if your business is online, online networking is particularly important.TechLunatic

Survey the landscape. Just like the infographic below of the state of small business, Joel Libava recently posted a detailed infographic showing an overview of the franchise industry. Do you have a detailed overview of your market? You should! Who are your competitors? What are their strengths and weaknesses? The Franchise King

Business Structure

Prepare your startup. Startup expert Martin Zwilling takes a few thoughts from the book of ancient military strategist Sun Tzu with a few suggestions about preparing your startup for the competitive realities of today?s market. Actually, there are probably plenty of cooperative business strategies to consider but Sun Tzu is a good place to start. Startup Professionals Musings

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Avoid the traps. Even after your business is successful make no mistake. There are always risks. To learn more about the realities of what can go wrong and why, it?s a good idea to start with a checklist of some of the most common problems. Do you see your business described on this list? If so, look out. It may be the indicator of trouble to come. Bloomberg BusinessWeek

Adapting & Evolving

Be ready to start over. If something isn?t working, don?t be afraid to start over. This isn?t the case only with a new startup. Markets are shifting more rapidly than ever before. Being able to adapt is the sign of a business able to survive the many shifts in the current marketplace. Are you ready? WSJ

Use the right task manager. So many tools so little time: we?ve selected a post here that goes through many of the options. It may take some trial and error to find the option right for you. But the right answer will help you manage your lifestyle much more effectively in the future. What more to you want! You?re the Boss

Look for the right opportunities. These days they could be anywhere. Obtaining commercial property via short sale of foreclosure may allow you save considerable cost on your startup or expansion plans. With the economy still sluggish and many folks either forced to or interested in selling, the opportunities will be there?for those who do your homework. Open Forum

Source: http://smallbiztrends.com/2011/08/how-is-your-business-doing-this-year.html

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