By Sasha Angus
On behalf of the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation, it’s my pleasure to wish you a very happy new year and a prosperous and healthy 2013. Thinking back over the past year, we have seen challenges, but even more importantly, new opportunities for our community. In the last half of 2012 encouraging trends started to appear, including lower unemployment coupled with new businesses across a number of different sectors.
Like the personal resolutions you set for the coming year, this is a great time to reflect on your company’s progress and to plan for the next 12 months. Here are a few resolutions that may help you and your business to be healthy, happy, and prosperous for 2013.
Join a business organization
Nanaimo is lucky to have a host of great business organizations like the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce, Innovation Island, Young Professionals of Nanaimo, Community Futures and the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association to name a few. Each has opportunities and programs that can help you grow your network and grow your business. They can be a great source of information on what is happening around town. They can help you get engaged in the community, and help you build new opportunities while having fun doing it.
Look at your online presence
When it comes to your business, a Google search for your company can paint a not-so-pretty picture for your existing and potential customers. Does your website properly represent what your business does? Does your company even have a web or social media presence? Depending on your goals, this could be as simple as revamping your LinkedIn profile to a complete makeover for your entire website.
Look for ways to delegate and collaborate
There are so many important things that go into running a business (big or small), it’s easy to convince yourself that you need to be the person doing all of them. Then we wonder why we’re so tired and have no time to do anything else. Determine what really needs your attention, and then decide to let someone else do some of the tasks for a change. Are you a one-person shop? Look for opportunities to collaborate and drive new business to your door. Remember those business organizations we’re so lucky to have – they are incredible assets to not only find new business, but also to find potential new business partners.
In 2013, resolve to contact us, your economic development corporation. We are a wealth of information on how to grow your business as well as the best places to kick up your heels and enjoy our wonderful Harbour City!