Promises to Keep

Mary Lacey Gibson, CFP® - Small Business Coach

This year I have decided not to set resolutions, but instead, I will make promises. While resolutions sometimes quickly fall by the wayside, I go to extremes to keep promises.

If you decide to make promises, or resolutions for that matter, with regard to your business, you might take inspiration from these.

I promise to stay, get or trend to being profitable. I will focus on profit in all that I do. I will plan for profit. If I am profitable, I can stay in business and work my mission and help those in need of my services.

I promise to give excellent client service. If I focus on excellent client service, I will by extension, become more efficient. Good service means that I get done what I have promised my clients through contract and fee for service.

I promise to give adequate time to the management of my business. If I focus on management, the operations (especially acting as a financial planner), accounting and marketing departments in turn should also be administered for maximum efficiency.

I promise to gain efficiency in client workflow when creating a financial plan. If I focus on workflow processes and procedures, I will be able to be more cost effective for my clients, better able to stay within the contracted fee range and attain profitability.

I promise to delegate work I am not skilled in or do not like doing. If I focus on delegating work, I will be more content with work product and productivity, be more efficient, and have a better chance of staying within the time allotted for each client project. I will consider delegation by incorporating technology, employees (virtual, in-house and/or contracted), vendor and outsourcing solutions.

I promise to nurture myself. If I focus on taking care of myself, both emotionally and physically, I will be able to be “present” when at work. I will also be “present” when engaging in my personal life. Work will not dictate all that I do.

I promise to learn something in the coming year, in detail, that will enhance my professional skills. If I focus on becoming an “expert” in some part of the financial planning spectrum I will be of more value to my clients, my business and the financial planning community.

I promise to manage my time better. If I focus on scheduling and sticking to it, I will be more efficient and certainly feel less stressed. I will be able to be more responsive to my clients and help keep my promise of better client service.

I promise to create specific action plans with timeframes for the promises I make for my business for the new year. If I focus on planning, I will have a much better chance of meeting the needs of my business.

I promise to find an accountability partner to help me enact my plans for all the promises I make for my business for the new year. If I have someone to help me focus on my plans I will have a much better chance of keeping my promises in a timely manner.

© 2012 Mary Lacey Gibson