Happy New Year

Written by: Andy Watkins - BusinessDetroit.com Editor

The crystal ball in time square is ready to drop with it's brand new look with led light technology. This year I'm visiting friends, but instead of staying out all night I'm making sure I'm headed home before all the crazy people are on the road. Save yourself and do the same as I am doing...and get home early. Watch Ryan and Dick on tv from the safety of your couch.

Well let's talk about 2007...was it a good or bad year. Detroit and Michigan's economy was terrible. Unemployement, home market, manufacturing closures just to name a few terrible items in our area. We can give up or wash it all clean with a New Year's resolution and just plug forward with new ideas, new technologies and new concepts for the 2008 year in business. Here are a few tips to get ready and move forward with your business in the Detroit Area.

1. Take a snapshot of our financial's and create a 2008 budget.
2. Get organized in your office and home.
3. Consolidate your financials into one bank or credit union.
4. Create a new marketing plan that enables your to go beyond the Detroit area.
5. Start the new year with great promotions and advertising.
6. Reduce all your costs by at least 25%
7. Create a new look or product mix for your company.
8. Resell to your exisiting customers. 80/20 rule of thumb...use it wisely.
9. Remember what you did to build your business years ago...and go back and do it all over again...go back to the basics - cold calling, referrals, simple grass root marketing through networking and chamber events.

Well...that should help you get started in 2008. Please share these thoughts and add your own...we would like to hear from you.

Happy New Year....Be Safe!