Last week, BetaKit and Dell assembled a team of entrepreneurs, mentors, and small business leaders, to provide you with the tips to prepare your business for 2017.
How do smart businesses close out a year? What can they do now to prepare for the next year, and what should they keep in mind throughout 2017? Check out the #DellSMBchat below and find out!
Why is it important to take time for reflection?
https://twitter.com/DellSmbCA/status/806907694414266368
https://twitter.com/shappy/status/806907924652040192
A1: The only way you grow is by doing realistic check points. Did you meet your goals? Leave opportunities on the table? #DellSMBchat https://t.co/QJAFxb6GLX
— Danielle Smith (@DaniMcSmith) December 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/shappy/status/806908515314847744
Best tips to finishing off the year
https://twitter.com/DellSmbCA/status/806908848346894336
https://twitter.com/shappy/status/806908970971512836
A2: A morning routine that saves me 20 hours a week. Read: https://t.co/5gLbq7oDwp #DellSMBChat #startup #marsdd @dellSmbCA @betakit
— Nathan Monk (@Cowboytweets) December 8, 2016
A2: the best thing: be brutally honest – in both your measurement of the year's outcomes, & where you need to go from here #DellSMBchat https://t.co/6rQOdQlnqu
— Danielle Smith (@DaniMcSmith) December 8, 2016
Keeping employees on track
https://twitter.com/DellSmbCA/status/806909959392886784
https://twitter.com/shappy/status/806910652212248580
A3: by promising them time for relaxation, breaks, preparation for next year. Snacks and jogging pants, too. #DellSMBchat https://t.co/5u7ehWsZCZ
— Douglas Tr0n Soltys (@tron) December 8, 2016
A3: the best way to keep the team motivated is to have a meaningful mission that everyone buys in to. Then it's just fun #DellSMBchat https://t.co/XCnfDf8dzF
— Jeff Goldenberg (@jeff_goldenberg) December 8, 2016
Closing the deal with customers
A4: end-of-year touch-points are a great way to set the tone for the coming year. Make them part of the org's reflection #DellSMBchat https://t.co/FDTW5cF8fd
— Danielle Smith (@DaniMcSmith) December 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/DellSmbCA/status/806910834727391232
A4: We to often think in terms of our customers’ budget cycle. In reality, the cycle never ends. . #DellSMBChat @dellSmbCA @betakit
— Nathan Monk (@Cowboytweets) December 8, 2016
A4 A small token of appreciation can go the distance, its not only for customers. Dont forget family,friends,parking attendant #DellSMBchat
— Ben Zlotnick (@BenZlotnick) December 8, 2016
Make sure you have the right tools for the job
https://twitter.com/DellSmbCA/status/806914218658295808
A7: Automate more processes! Look at tools like: @WaveAccounting @SlackHQ @asana #DellSMBChat #startup @marsdd @dellSmbCA @betakit
— Nathan Monk (@Cowboytweets) December 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/shappy/status/806914515744931840
A7. Its about being more efficient, using tools that were not available in the past and making your life/work easier #DellSMBchat
— Ben Zlotnick (@BenZlotnick) December 8, 2016
Prepping for 2017
https://twitter.com/DellSmbCA/status/806914708175515648
A8: review your buyer personas every year and make sure the data still supports your hypotheses #DellSMBchat https://t.co/0rkZ08YlfU
— Jeff Goldenberg (@jeff_goldenberg) December 8, 2016
A8: As many as you can. IMPORTANT: how many are processes by choice, or things that just became entrenched? #DellSMBchat https://t.co/p0zY8aJTAs
— Douglas Tr0n Soltys (@tron) December 8, 2016
teh entrenched ones are really what you need to look at. When you are in the mud, get an outsider to look in and redefine #DellSMBchat
— Ben Zlotnick (@BenZlotnick) December 8, 2016