Most people like to mark the start of a new year by making promises to themselves. Usually, we say something along the lines of “I will start going to the gym/eating right/looking for a new job”. But it’s not just about starting new things, it’s also about letting go of some bad habits that are best off not following you into 2020.
Meetings that could have been emails
You will be hard pushed to find a team of people who genuinely enjoy business meetings, even when they’re absolutely necessary. If you’re having a meeting just for the sake of it or because it’s the usual “Tuesday Meeting time” then perhaps it’s worth rethinking. Just think what you could all be doing with that time instead.
Micromanaging employees
No one likes a boss breathing down their neck or even stepping in to do the job themselves, despite having perfectly capable employees. Some bosses have a hard time letting go, but you must learn to do this effectively and trust your employees. Micromanaging your staff can lead to resentment and mistrust which is never good for productivity and staff happiness.
Poor password practice
The chances are there are some weak passwords floating around the office. Passwords like “[business name]123” are very easy to guess which means your security is at risk. Cyber attacks are commonplace now, especially for smaller businesses. It’s important not to underestimate the risks out there.
You might want to invest in a password manager such as LastPass or 1Password that your team can use. All passwords are kept in a secure vault and can be accessed by employees easily enough without compromising security. Just make sure those master passwords are secure!
Unhealthy snacks in the office
Most people at the start of a New Year vow to start eating healthier. So, rather than carrying on the tradition of bringing doughnuts in on a Monday morning, perhaps it’s time to invest in a weekly fruit box for the office. We have weekly fruit deliveries at Pandle HQ, you might be surprised how popular it is! Of course, you won’t be a popular boss if you ban office doughnuts, but it’s good to have a healthy option as a readily available alternative.
Underestimating marketing
Marketing is still an afterthought for many business owners. If you are not really familiar with the world of SEO, PPC, social media and content marketing, it’s easy to dismiss all these things as optional or a waste of time. The thing is, if you want to compete in your industry, it’s time to start taking digital marketing seriously and make a New Year’s resolution to invest time and money in it. That’s what your competition is already doing so don’t fall behind by neglecting your marketing.
Refusing to invest
No one likes spending money, but as the saying goes – you need to spend money to make money. A hesitancy to invest in your business generally leads to slow growth or even stagnation in your business. Investing time and money in equipment/software, recruitment, marketing and training will boost your business and productivity. Investment in your business, if planned properly, is rarely a mistake.
What bad habits are you planning to give up for 2020? Are you looking to develop New Year’s resolutions in their place? Please share your ideas below.
