At the beginning of the year, most people made New Year’s resolutions. It’s typical for everyone to focus on themselves when it comes to resolutions, but as a business owner it’s important for you to think outside yourself, and focus on improving your business.

If you didn’t set any resolutions, don’t feel bad. With seven months down and five months to go in 2018, now is a great time to set some goals.

Don’t just haphazardly write down a list of things that sound good. Your business is a real thing, and growth should be a real goal. Come up with a handful of progressive, actionable goals that will help take your business to new heights by the end of the year.

While every business is different, and your goals are sure to be different as well, here are 4 things that every business should definitely focus on in these last five months.

  1. Cash flow & billing: streamline, streamline, streamline. Things become a lot easier, when you know who, what, when, where, and why your leads and customers go through your billing process, with the use of a CRM. As for your team, getting a system that automates your billing will be a much needed step up from emailing attached invoices and such.
  2. Grow and delegate: If you’re a solo-preneur, it’s time to add to the roster. You can hire independent contractors, and Online Business Manager, or even interns, either way, you will be able to split your workload. Delegate out as many tasks as possible, so you can free yourself up for more strategic, high-level business.
  3. Website: if you don’t have a website, WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?! No, but seriously though, its 2018! Websites are how potential customers will verify your existence, and legitimacy. Without a website you’re doing your business a huge disservice. If you do have a website, that’s good to know. Now is the time to review your site and make improvements.
  4. Social Media: If you don’t have a presence on social media, that’s just as bad as not having a website. How do you expect to communicate with your customers if you don’t have social media? Facebook and Instagram are the 2 major platforms right now, and you NEED to be on them!

Do either of these 4 things sound like an area you need to focus on in the second half of 2018? Are there any areas you think should be added to the list? Share your thoughts and business goals with us in the comments.