Are you ready to dream big in 2012? This is the perfect time to get a clear sense of what you need to do better in your business.  Setting annual sales goals is fine, but you know me. I am all about the 30-day sales goal. As in, how much money do you need to make this week? It becomes a lot more real when you focus on your revenues it this way.  Another great trick I use at the beginning of every year, I make a target list of people I want to meet and or do business with. Then twice a week, I reach out to some of the folks on my list via phone call, personal note, linkedin or email.

At the end of last month, I pulled the SmallBizLady team together for a retreat. During our three days together, we did an annual review of the good, the bad and what we better never do again in my business. I held the retreat at my home, at my home at the beginning of December to make it half fun / half work. Once we did the review, we planned for 2012.  Too often we run our businesses in a reactionary mode.  We swing from tree to tree and go from fire to fire. That is draining and exhausting and great way to get yourself on the fast track to burn out.  We you take the time to set goals, you can stay focused.
Think about what you want to have happen in your business in 2011. Now, create a strategy that will drive your desired results for 2012.  This will quickly help you figure out what you need to stop doing right now.

Here are some clarifying questions to consider:

• · Do you need to add to your team? (You can only be an army of 1 for so long)
• · Are you set up operationally for a huge sale or major media exposure?
• · What are you doing to engage your online community?
• · How are you going to attract new clients?
• · Are you charging enough?
• · What are your highest revenue generating activities?
• · Is there a new niche market that you want to pursue in 2012?
• · What are the best lessons you learned in 2011?

Once of the biggest lessons I learned in 2011, is that I needed to say No more often.  Here’s my five best techniques for saying no to projects, employees, and potential clients that you know deep in the back of your head are going to be more trouble than they are worth.  Try these when someone comes at you with foolishness.

1. No! It is a complete sentence.
2. I couldn’t possibly do that!
3. Nope, can’t do it! It’s not in the budget.
4. What?? Are you crazy? NO!!
5. Absolutely, NOT going to happen!

Do you have any more ideas for how to get your 2012 started off right?  I want to learn your techniques.

For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com.

Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady is one of America’s leading small business  experts. As a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach, she develops audio, video and written content to fulfill her mission to end small businessfailure.  As CEO of Quintessence Multimedia, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. Forbes Magazine recently named her the #1 woman for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter. She hosts #SmallBizChat Wednesdays on Twitter 8-9pm ET for emerging entrepreneurs. She also publishes a resource blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com  Melinda is also the author of the national bestseller Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. (Adams Media 2010)