The monthly newsletters are not published during July and August.

It is not uncommon to make resolutions at the beginning of each New Year in an effort to try and better ourselves as people – to lose weight,  to be nicer, to swear less, to be better organized, etc…  Why not take the resolution idea a bit farther and try to make some improvements in our businesses as well.  With that in mind I have come up with a couple of starting points, with some help from Mike Ference, to try out for a better 2010 in business.

• Resolve to get more involved – whether you want to improve your personal life, your business or your community- get out and become involved.  Actively participate in your Chamber, your church, industry trade associations, and / or contribute your time to a cause that you believe in.
• Make good use of educational resources, such as Community College of Allegheny County or Ray Vargo and Pitt’s small business resource center.  Seek out a mentor in your own field of business, or another business owner whose success you would like to emulate.  Read!  Broaden your knowledge base on topics that you are familiar with or explore a new area of interest.  Be sure to visit the wonderful Public Libraries that we have available to us in our communities.
• Do more business with companies that recognize your value.  If you are able to do anything that would benefit a local business and help to grow their business, do it. Seek out those with the same attitudes and work ethic as you and enter into a partnership, whereby you help each other and truly want to see the other grow, instead of just seeing what you can get out of the relationship.
• Commit yourself to better health.  If you are not healthy in mind, body, and spirit, you are unable to give your business the attention that it both needs and deserves.  Being unhealthy robs you of your time and your energy that you can be putting into growing your business and having a healthy bottom line.  Go beyond the common resolutions to lose weight and to exercise more that always seem to fizzle out a couple of months down the road.  Strive for true health and wellness – drink plenty of water, enjoy a balanced diet, take vitamins, schedule check-ups, get off of the couch and exercise more.  Remember, it is easier to stay well than it is to get well.
• Be grateful.  Each day take some time to reflect on all of the blessings that you have in your life, and be truly thankful for them.  Express your gratitude and your thanks to those who have helped you along the way.  Let your customers know that they are appreciated and valued and they will be more likely to want to share there experience with others.

These are just a few small changes that we can make to better our businesses in the New Year.  There are plenty of other things out there that you can do as well, the important thing is to put forth some effort and see how it returns to you.

Don’t forget to get your nominations in for the Chamber Awards.  If someone is doing a great job, what better way to let them know than by nominating them for one of our awards.  You are also able to nominate yourself.  Remember, it is impossible to win if you aren’t nominated.

Healthy regards,

Dr. Sean J. Hayes