Top 10 Items to Review & Build Your Business Now!

In building and runnng an independent private practice or small business, there are many items that need to be monitored closely and should be reviewed periodically. Year-end is a traditional time do this, and this week's Letter is a "Top Ten" of items to review as the year draws to a close, or whenever you decide to pause, reflect, take stock and re-assess.

1. Review your client statistics: How many clients did you have? On average, how long did they stay? How did they describe their problem? What did they need or want from you? Does tracking by gender, age, or other criteria, provide insight about your business?

2. Review your referral sources: How do clients find you? Do you have a solid mix of referral sources? Too few sources makes your business dependent on them, while too many sources is inefficient. Who refers the most desirable clients? Who refers the least desirable?

3. Review your outcome statistics: How many clients had successful outcomes? How many had unsuccessful outcomes, and why? How many left before you thought they should, and why? Which clients are you most effective with? Which do you enjoy the most?

4. Review your income, month by month: Look for patterns or relationships with marketing efforts or community events that may impact your business. Does your business go up when school starts or after holidays? Can you capitalize on any of these cyclical patterns?

5. Review environmental changes: Has the community's awareness of your skills or services been impacted by someone else's marketing, by news stories or controversy this year? Has your neighborhood changed? Have circumstances made your office more or less visible? Are other professionals moving into, or out of, your neighborhood?

6. Review office policies and procedures: Do any of your forms, brochures, or signs need to be up-dated? Is it time to add color and graphics? Can office procedures be streamlined, computerized or contracted out for better productivity?

7. Review your insurance coverage, lease agreements, partnerships and other documents that impact your business. Is this the year to incorporate? Consult a professional about making appropriate changes, and meet with your accountant for a year-end review and tax planning.

8. Review every aspect of your professional status: Review your CE requirements, renew your license(s), pay dues to your professional organizations, and be sure your liability insurance coverage is adequate and current.

9. Identify and study the 3 biggest mistakes you made relative to finances, business and marketing this year. What did you do, or not do? What did you learn? What steps can you take so that particular mistake or set of circumstances never holds you back again?

10. Be sure to acknowledge and thank everyone who has contributed to your success this year, including referral sources, advisors, colleagues, and especially your clients. Send holiday greetings, thank you notes, and where it's appropriate, send a gift or token of appreciation.

Have a great week! The holidays can be a time of stress ? please accept our best wishes that this year it be a time for peace, joy, and goodwill toward all!

© Copyright 2003 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved. This article may be copied and used in your own newsletter or on your website as long as you include the following information: "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com

---

How To Make Money With Your Junk Mail

The term "junk mail" is a well-known term. To... Read More

Ten Top Performance Management Tips

Talk to Your People Often By building a great... Read More

Are You a Project Manager Or a Project Mangler?

Which one are you? An effective IT project manager, able... Read More

1 Step Program to Achieve All of Your Goals

In Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's original "Chicken Soup... Read More

Top 10 Ways to Use Quotations to Be Healthier, Happier and More Productive!

Most people have at least one favorite quotation from a... Read More

7 Ways To Profit From Other Peoples Products

If you don't possess the time, money or inclination to... Read More

Top 7 Strategies for Writing Accounting Procedures

Part Two of Cash to Cash Cycle SeriesNext: SalesWe've already... Read More

7 Secrets to Writing Inventory Procedures

What would You do with $1,000,000With $1 Million would you:?... Read More

11 Things Small Business Owners Can Learn From Star Wars

1. Great Things Take Time ? Three years passed between... Read More

10 Tips for Effective Proofreading

Proofreading may not be terribly fun, but it's one of... Read More

7 Keys to Running a Successful Business

Although dentistry may appear to be different than other types... Read More

The Top Ten Qualities that Allow Business Operations to Grow Easily

My husband and I were enjoying our dinner meal one... Read More

Reminders For Running A Better Business

The following tips are from an article we contributed to... Read More

Ten Tips for Effective Meetings

Here are ten things that you can do to hold... Read More

How To Use The Power Of Focus To Build Massive Momentum In Your Business

Getting focused on what you want to achieve and creating... Read More

Media Training: Seven Ways to Instantly Improve Your Media Interviewing Skills

Imagine if you were going to address a stadium full... Read More

Top Ten Tips: Where to Get the Best Business Books Now!

There are many places you can get books, and I... Read More

Business Attire: 10 Tips to Perfect Your Look

Being appropriately dressed is essential in making good impressions in... Read More

Making Money over the Internet : 5 Cool Tips

The Internet is a fast growing medium, trancending the personal... Read More

How To Move Your Business Online in 7 Steps

So you have set up your company, fairly established and... Read More

Increase Business Profits - Ten Ways

How do you increase business profits? Answer the following questions... Read More

Famous Business Strategies

Either simply a looker-on or a player in the world... Read More

Top 10 Items to Review & Build Your Business Now!

In building and runnng an independent private practice or small... Read More

Top 10 Ways to Turn Clients Into Raving Fans

Do you find great joy in being a coach? If... Read More

Brainstorming! The Key To Wealth

Advertising executive Alex F. Osborne first coined the word "brainstorming"... Read More

Top Ten Tips When Business is Slow

How's your business going to keep growing with the holidays... Read More

Why Clarity Is Essential To Building Massive Momentum In Your Business

Clarity is an absolutely essential ingredient for you to achieve... Read More

7 Strategies for Handling Last Minute Meetings

Have you ever found yourself having to scramble to organize... Read More

Checklist for Hiring a Private Investigator

Looking for an old friend? Want to know if your... Read More

10 E-mail Organization Tips

Who doesn't have issues with organizing their inbox!? I receive... Read More

How To Eliminate Your Competition Without Bloodshed

So how do you eliminate your competition without bloodshed? You... Read More

Yummy Yummy: Top 7 Business Lessons from the Wiggles

At Macquarie University in the early '90s, three Australian early... Read More

No More Lists To Remember

Are the endless lists of Top-7's and Top-10's taxing your... Read More