Better Your North Carolina Business in 2014: Smart Business Resolutions

The first month of a new year is a time when we make resolutions to better tend to our physical and mental health, as well as the health of our relationships. We'll work out three times a week, we promise. We'll finally sign up for those guitar lessons we've been so shy about taking, we vow. We'll have regular Sunday dinners with the entire family, no ifs, ands, or buts.

But why not also resolve to enhance the health of your business? Doing so may increase profits and enlarge your income, and more money makes all the other resolutions in your life that much more attainable.

Here are some ideas for resolutions that will give your business in North Carolina a kick start in 2014:

• Embrace Social Media. Sure, maybe you've got your website set up and have established an online presence. But if you haven't yet created Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Vine, and/or Pinterest accounts connected to your business, this is the time to do so. Social media isn't going anywhere, and it's a necessary component of every business. It helps you to establish a unique identity among your competitors and, most importantly, reach a broad spectrum of people, all of which are potential customers. Get creative! Images speak volumes, and require a lot less time and thought than composing text, so use lots of pictures in your social media posts.
• Update Software Frequently. Are you in the habit of groaning and clicking "Not Now" when your computer prompts you to update its software? Always feel like you have more important things to do? This is the year in which you should change your ways. Keep the software updated on all your business computers, not only to keep them in optimal working condition, but to also protect them from malware that could result in data theft and seriously harm your business.
• Give Back. Find a charitable organization in your area that you'd be proud to help out. Create an alliance between that organization and your business in which you pledge to donate products, money, or volunteer hours. Doing so will reflect favorably on your business in the community, and also just make you feel good. It's amazing how many good things you can attract when you decide to give a little more.
• Delegate. Don't be afraid to trust your best employees with tasks that you're accustomed to handling yourself. Try releasing some control, just a little bit at a time, and see what happens. The benefits of doing so are many. Different individuals bring different strengths to a project, so someone else may tackle a task in a new way that revitalizes your business. And you'll have more free time to either take on new projects or accomplish your other resolutions this year!
• Keep Learning. If you delegate, you'll have some time to take classes, read books, or attend seminars geared toward the betterment of your business. Resolve to participate in at least three educational activities this year that will give you more tools to help your business thrive.
• Vary Your Passwords. Again, this is a tech-related way to better protect your business. If you use the same password for every account, your business is much more vulnerable to hackers and data theft than if you create a mix of passwords. For tips on devising hard-to-crack passwords, use an online password-creating tool.
• Go Green. Now more than ever, consumers are drawn to products and companies that are kind to Mother Earth. Find ways to make your business more green-recycle all your paper and used technological equipment, change to energy-efficient lights, banish plastic from the premises-and use your social media page to let your customers know!

For all of your insurance related questions, call or contact Litaker Insurance today.