By Sasha Angus
On behalf of the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation, it is my pleasure to wish you a happy new year and a prosperous 2014. The past year has been an exciting time for Nanaimo, with new projects planned, capital investments made and many success stories in our local business community.
It’s now the time of year that we make resolutions to better ourselves over the coming months. In that spirit, here are three resolutions to improve your business and to strengthen your ties to the community in Nanaimo.
Seek inspiration for success
Many tools and strategies can be learned to improve your business operations, but often what is needed is a spark of inspiration to really get things moving. A great place to start is to reflect on what first inspired you when you started or joined your current business. Perhaps this came from the words of a mentor or family member, or the prospect of realizing a long-held vision for success.
If you are seeking inspiring voices in the business world, one such voice belongs to Simon Sinek, a world thought leader in the science of motivation and leadership. Nanaimo was lucky to have Sinek give an enthusiastic lecture at the Port Theatre in March of 2013.
Do some good with your business
Social responsibility is becoming more and more relevant in the modern business community. Businesses are giving back either through relationship building with local charities, or simply lending a helping hand to a person, family or business in need. In 2013 the Nanaimo business community witnessed a moving gesture of one business helping another. Nanaimo’s Pi Granite/Studio Kitchens donated a beautiful new front-of-house for fellow business Chico’s Fried Chicken and Pizza in the summer of 2013. Upon learning that the small restaurant was struggling, Pi Granite/Studio Kitchens owner James McIntyre stepped up and gave Chico’s a grand makeover at no cost to the owners. This was a fantastic display of business-helping-business, and the makings of a great ‘do-good’ resolution for all of us.
Make strategic planning a habit
In 2013, the NEDC held a series of seminars for local business owners on ways to improve processes in marketing, information gathering, and other topics. One of the most successful seminars was a discussion on strategic planning for business in Nanaimo. A lesson taken from this seminar was the notion of making strategic planning an ongoing habit, as opposed to a once-a-year chore. Ongoing planning allows you to continually adjust strategies and revisit goals in a way that makes success far more attainable.
– Sasha Angus is CEO of Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation.