Do You Consider Yourself a Good Small Business Manager?

As someone who runs a small business, did you set any goals for 2013? If so, was one of them to better run your company this year?

In a day and age when multiple companies are fighting for every customer dollar available, being a wise business manager only makes sense. In the event you are not, you could see all you worked for go by the wayside over time, meaning customers will look elsewhere for their products and services.

There are several keys you should zero in on over these coming months to make sure your small business is on track for a solid and prosperous 2013.

Among them:

* Filling the seats - If you have a small business where you employ others, look at it as driving a school bus, meaning where will each of your workers sit on the vehicle? Some are better suited for management roles, while some fit better in supporting positions. Whenever someone leaves or you open up a new position, finding the right seat for the new worker is critical. You are likely super busy with your day-to-day functions of running a business, but make sure either you or your person in charge of hiring makes the right call the first time around. Not only does it cost a company time and money to retrain people, getting the wrong seat placement on the company bus can be a drain on overall office morale;

* Go that extra mile for the customer - It sounds like  a no-brainer, but do you always go that extra mile for the people who in essence keep you employed? There is a good chance that you will answer no on occasion to that question, albeit likely not on purpose. With so many shopping options available to consumers today, one of the best ways to stand out among the pack is doing the little things for those who buy from you. Simple things like a follow up thank you, recognizing them on their birthday or major holidays, engaging with them on social media, these all add up over time. While some business owners may feel such tactics are too time-consuming and/or corny, give it a try for yourself if you have not already;

* Be more social - You have probably come across the small business head who says he or she can’t get a true reading on the value of social media, so they therefore abstain from it. If that is the case, boy, are they missing out. If you just don’t get social media, then find someone at your company or pick up some outside help in order to become more social. Social media can do a world of good for your business, allowing you to engage in real time with current and potential customers, be seen as an authoritative figure in your respective industry, stay on top of what is being said about you and your business online, and help maintain an overall solid online reputation. If you already have company Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest pages and more, make sure you devote time to them on a regular basis. If you are being anti-social, it is your business that will likely end up suffering;

* Look to be one step ahead of the competition - Finally, those who survive and prosper in the small business world are those not afraid to take a chance. Yes, pushing the envelope may seem a little scary at times, but staying grounded and never evolving can be even scarier for a business owner. Don’t be afraid to try some new things out, be it with how you handle customers, responsibilities around the office, the technology you rely on to conduct work, and how you market your company. Make 2013 the year that you emerged from the shadow of your competition and became a leader, not a follower.