How Small Businesses Can Kick-off the New Year on a Positive Note, Even in the Face of Adversity by John DeSimone, President, Herbalife Nutrition

How Small Businesses Can Kick-off the New Year on a Positive Note, Even in the Face of Adversity
by John DeSimone, President, Herbalife Nutrition

New Year’s Resolutions are not only for people but also for businesses. After a challenging year dealing with the pandemic, hiring and retaining team members and managing supply chain issues, many companies were hoping to heave a sigh of relief saying goodbye to 2021 and moving forward. But it seems that the pandemic has other plans for us.

Starting a new year doesn’t only give us some distance from a tough one; it allows us time to reflect, learn and evolve to make 2022 a rewarding year for you and your company. So, while we may not be out of the woods yet, we can take our learnings from 2021 and apply them to challenges we may face in 2022. Below are lessons we share with our independent distributors around the world to help them thrive and grow their businesses.

Stay Positive and Nimble

Despite the challenges of the last few years, there are still reasons to be optimistic. Many small businesses found ways to pivot and innovate to keep their business going and growing, so there’s no reason that growth can’t continue into the new year. If you feel good about your small business, you are not alone. According to the most recent IPSOS/US Chamber of Commerce Poll, about two in five (62%) small businesses say their organization is in good health. The data reflects a slight increase from 2021 Q3 (55%) and ten percentage points higher than at the start of the year in 2021 Q1 (52%). The most optimistic sign is that many small businesses say theirs is in excellent health (30% now vs. 20-23% throughout 2021). Being confident about the future is a powerful way to approach a new year and radiate that optimism to your team and clients.

Remember What Worked

A great way to start the new year is by reflecting on what worked well in 2021, especially when the pandemic concerns resurface. Did you find a way to cut costs or streamline your processes? Did you improve client services with added technology solutions? Perhaps with limited in-person meetings, you found new, innovative ways to connect more with customers. You may have set up regular video meetings or email check-ins. Some business owners report finding more profound connections with their clients as they shared more personal information about how they and their families were navigating the challenges over the past two years. Continue to build on what worked to grow your business.

Resolve to Plan

Many entrepreneurs start their businesses to escape the roadblocks of large companies. Along with the freedom to be one’s own boss, there is often a desire to free themselves of endless planning sessions. However, every business, large or small, benefits from a plan. Take time in the new year to write down goals for your business in 2022 as well as tangible actions you’ll take to achieve those goals. Write down what resources you will need to meet your objectives and create a timeline. Then when completed, share it with your team and don’t file the document, but review it quarterly to see where you are meeting or missing your goals.

Find New Opportunities

As the adage goes, “when one door closes, another opens.” Though it may seem sometimes that the pandemic door will never close, remember we are making progress on all front, and sometimes just progress, however small, can be enough.

In the new year, entrepreneurs can continue to find new ways to conduct their business. For many, 2022 will be a year of creatively engaging with customers and building new relationships when traditional methods are hampered. Ask yourself what your customers need from you and how you can best deliver that product, information, or service. As providers of nutritional and wellness products, we know that consumers worldwide are seeking healthy solutions now more than ever. Our independent distributors host online webinars, outdoor exercise sessions and provide valuable health information via emails and newsletters.

Write Notes of Positivity

When was the last time you thanked the clients and suppliers in your life who have supported your business? The start of a new year is a perfect time to check in with them and thank them for their support. Ask them to share with you their goals for the new year and ask how you can best help them. Think about how you would feel if you received a personal – ideally handwritten – letter from a company. Being a small business owner allows you to connect with the people you do business with directly. You are taking the time to check in with them positively to deepen the relationship.

There is something extraordinary about starting a new year. We have the chance to begin again on a fresh footing. We can learn from our mistakes and remember our achievements. The most successful entrepreneurs are constantly innovating, finding new ways to build connections with clients and provide superior service. The new year is a time to take charge of our future with optimism.