On Words and Business

As the end of the calendar year approaches, businesses take time to think about what worked this past year, and to set goals for the upcoming year. For some, that also means updating the business plan. That’s what I’ve been working on lately.

Thinking about what worked and how best to continue doing these things right, and what didn’t really work and how to tweak (or jettison) those. It’s an interesting project. Especially now, when none of us can really avoid news about the economy.

Into this introspection and analysis popped this blog entry, from the Boston chapter of the American Marketing Association: Wearing Ten Hats? It’s about how to prioritize your marketing efforts, but the tips are applicable to running a business, too:

1. Be customer facing at least half the week
2. Do whatever absolutely needs to happen each week first
3. Do at least one thing each year to shake things up
4. Measure what you’re doing
5. Do one thing each day that you really like.

Are you thinking about your business for next year? If so…happy introspection!

Merriam-Webster announced its 2008 Word of the Year: bailout.

The American Dialect Society is still judging.  You can help by nominating a word. Their 2007 word of the year: subprime.

Sense a theme?