Many people have told me 2009 was a down year for them. I look at them and say, “really?” I don’t think 2009 was a down year because the people I had the honor of coaching this year are up an average of 68% in overall revenue and productivity!

When it comes to planning for your business you need to always be looking at what might be coming around the corner. In the case of this blog post, it is 2010, a new year.  With a new year, come new opportunities. This is your opportunity to reinvent yourself and your business. More importantly, you can help your clients with their business. How you ask? Well let me help you with this.

In 2009 you had X-number of services in your “tool bag”, right? Why not move some of those services around or add more to your offering? Let me ask you a question; are you everything to your clients? When I ask this, I am wondering if you really know your value to your client and their business. More than likely you have no idea. So here is my suggestion and what I would task you with for the last 2 weeks of the year.

GO TALK TO YOUR CLIENTS!!!

Ask your clients how their business is planning to move forward in the New Year. Talk to them about their marketing, maybe a web site refresh is in the budget. You may want to make suggestions for new hardware.  Hardware as a service or HaaS may be in your future offerings. Are they planning an office move? Maybe they are looking at purchasing new printers, copiers or a phone system. Whatever it is, get involved with their buying process. Help them make the right decisions on technology upgrades.

If you aren’t leading your client, then you are following them. If you follow them, they will never let you sit at the big table. They will always look at you as the guy, gal or company that fixes their computers and not as the advisor that can help move their business ahead.

I wish you the best of luck in getting to your clients in the next 2 ½ weeks. It is going to be tough, but the rewards will last all year long.

All the best in success for the New Year,

Stu