There are probably very few people who can look at the prospect of starting a fresh, new year and say that they have absolutely nothing they want to change.  We look at the new year as sort of a blackboard with which we can erase the things we don’t like and rewrite the things we hope to change.  You’re probably reading this and thinking about the very goals you may have made for yourself, your family and/or your business.  The good news - you have the power and ability within you to change.  The bad news - change is sometimes easier said than done.

Tim Berry, a contributing author to Small Business Trends, has written A Planner’s Rules on Resolutions.  In this article he offers up 3 tips to help you plan for your new year’s goals and hopefully actually achieve them this year.  Each of these tips can be applied personally and professionally.

One thing that stuck with me - don’t just make a general goal.  Instead, set up actionable steps to take towards your goal.  Let’s say you want to save money towards a vacation.  Don’t stop by just stating that as your goal.  Instead, state that you intend to set aside a specific amount each week.   When you read this, it sounds obvious doesn’t it?  But if you think about it further, have you done just that in previous years?

There is a lot of great advice listed in these tips that a beginner would easily overlook.  It takes lots of time and patience to teach yourself the ins and outs of social media but be patient because the rewards can be well worth your efforts.

David Javitch, of Entrepreneur.com, has come up with a list of 10 New Year’s Resolutions that you and your employees can discuss together to guide them to a more successful and productive year.  A goal of mine this year is to form a better daily schedule for work and my personal responsibilities.  Have you made any personal or business resolutions for 2009?

No Christmas Gifts This Year is a site that enables you to send your friends or family an email message “gift” that you personalize yourself.  Instead of spending money, you choose a way in which you can spend time with the recipient in a special, more personal manner.  Not only will you save a few bucks but you may just make a few great memories along the way.

Shoppers this holiday season are looking for exceptional values, this is certainly true. Saving money during these times is of vital importance for many people, so it is very important to maintain a competitive edge when it comes to pricing.

More important, however is what you can do for your customer base if you keep a few key components in place for the holiday season. What follows is a list of things to keep in mind during the holidays so you can build up your customer base for the rest of the year.

Promotions

Offering promotions and great deals are wonderful ways to jump start your holiday business. However, don’t even think about the old bait-and-switch. People see right through promotional ideas that simply “get them in the door,” whether it’s online or in-person. Make sure that you give your promotional efforts a lot of thought and attention.

Value

The value of your products and services needs to be something that your customers perceive, not just something you know about. Compare your services and products to those of your competitors and show that you are giving your clients a valuable product for the price they are paying.

Service

Everyone is talking about customer service lately – and for good reason. Good service is what will set you apart from your competitors more than anything else. Many times, people would actually rather pay a bit more and be treated well, than save money and not feel appreciated. If you can do both, you will retain these customers far beyond the holiday shopping season.

Follow Up

Start a database – if you haven’t already – with your customers’ information so that you can follow up on their purchases, keep track of their spending habits, and send promotional emails tailored to their patterns. Taking a few moments to thank them for their patronage and invite them back for the same great values and service will be another step in the right direction for your business.

Stand Out

Above all else, the previous advice is intended to help you do one thing: stand out among your competition. If you are able to offer great values and outstanding service, and then follow up with your clients, you are on your way to establishing a great customer base for your future.

About The Guest Author:  Kelly Kilpatrick currently writes about business schools and topics related to running a small business.   You can find her articles at www.mbaexplorer.com/blog/.

For holiday shopping procrastinators, this is your chance to purchase gifts from online retailers with free shipping and guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve.

For merchants, this is your chance to acquire new sales from shoppers who normally would worry about receiving their packages in time for Christmas.

So what do merchants stand to gain from participating in a promotion such as this?  Simply put…much needed sales.

In 2007 online shopping peaked on December 10 with $881 million in sales, while the heaviest spending period for consumers is the week before and the week after Christmas.
There is no reason that online shopping needs to peak 15 days before Christmas when the majority of holiday shopping dollars are spent so much closer to Christmas. Let’s face it, we are a country of procrastinators.

So for all of you last minute shoppers who dread fighting the crowds in the busy stores, why not shop from the comfort of your own home?  The Free Shipping Day website keeps an up to date list of merchant links so you can easily browse the hundreds of sites listed.

In this list, Carol Bory expresses the importance of remembering that the festivities are still a business event and should be treated as such.  If you know someone who could benefit from reading this list, pass it along and save everyone involved from the embarrassment that could possibly ensue.

Consider implementing a few of Nathan Burke’s marketing ideas from his article, Top 10 Tips To Get Your Startup Noticed.  While all of his ten recommendations are helpful; participating in conversations online such as in forums, on blogs, and on social media sites, can gain you a lot of much needed exposure.  The connections you make and the bonds you build with potential customers can far outweigh the time you invest.

It seems that most businesses, during these tough economic times, are concentrating on offering exceptional customer service to retain valuable customers and gain new prospects.  A common goal - offering great support while hoping to set themselves apart from the competition.  For internet based businesses, this can be more challenging to accomplish than with a traditional brick and mortar business.

Internet businesses face the challenge of connecting with their consumers on a one-on-one basis even though they are not face-to-face.  This is one instance that technology can be more of a hindrance to your business than a help.  It’s imperative to make sure your customers feel that they are valued and that they matter.  It’s easy to hide behind your internet presence but that won’t help you retain customers and grow your business.

Putting The “Service” Back In “Customer Service” offers 4 steps that can help you satisfy your customers needs and concerns.  In this article, Cindy Marlowe points out the need to make you and/or your staff available to answer calls live and in person.    It can be frustrating and overwhelming, for your customers, if you limit contact with your business solely via the internet.  Providing a toll free customer support number is just one way you can provide the support your customers crave and expect.

I came across Cost To Drive which is a free calculator to estimate how much it will cost you to drive to your destination.  It takes into consideration the current price of gasoline  and the make, model and year of the vehicle you will be driving.  Give it a try the next time you’re curious about the fuel cost of your next business trip