Monday, December 28, 2009

Well Hello 2010!


The New Year is a time for resolution. Like the Roman god, Janus, for whom the month is named, we face in two directions at once to look both at where we’ve been and where we’re going.

On a personal level our resolutions are the stuff we share with friends over a glass of champagne. It’s unlikely anyone will hold us accountable, now or later, as they’ve heard them before: our resolutions are our vices and bad habits.

In business, our resolutions are more wide flung. What we resolve to do better as a business affects many– our employees, our clients, and our community. Why not start the New Year with resolutions that steer your company away from its vices and bad habits?

I resolve to follow my strategic plan more diligently. I like to think of this plan as the surfboard I use to ride the waves of the Sea of Enterprise. I’ve created a quiver of boards to ride the right tool over the right wave. But, you can’t ride if you’re not at the beach.

I resolve to delegate more and accept the outcome. As small business owners we often see delegating tasks as the cash register ringing in reverse. The reality is, we can’t do it all ourselves and grow. And everyone brings something unique to the fray.

I resolve to spend more time listening to the stories. This business community is filled with wonderful stories about their experiences. Together we can learn from each other’s trials and tribulations. Together we strengthen the marketplace.

I resolve to share the love. We haven’t even begun to reach all the business professionals and decision makers in Northwest Arkansas.

I like to name each year with a quality I hope to see it bring. (Although it’s infallibly non-prophetic; a divine ’09 it was not!) Here’s wishing you a Perfect ’10.