In case you missed the fantastic tips given at November’s CRAVE Chat on perfecting your business strategy for 2010, check out the top ten takeaway points.

Thanks to our great speakers: Angelika Coghlan of Catwalk Consulting, Elizabeth ‘Lulu’ Miranda of Mercury Organizing Professionals, Linda McCabe of Optimal Level and Gail Zelitzky of Silver-Robins Consulting LLC

1. Don’t have your fingers in too many pies! We can’t be everything to everybody and we can’t do everything at once. We all try to be Wonder Woman, and that just leaves us over-worked, sleep-deprived and exhausted. Instead of spreading yourself so thin, put all your energy in a few specific things.

2. Your life needs to be planned! Know where your time is best spent, and adjust your schedule accordingly. Everything you do should have a reason behind it. Whether you need to attend monthly networking events to build connections or find time for yoga, make sure to pencil everything in your schedule. Including “unschedule” tasks like laundry, sleeping and eating is crucial. When you know exactly how much time you have each day, its easy to see where there are holes and it will help you manage your time more effectively.

3. Organization does matter! Most people weren’t born with the organization skills of Martha Stewart. Being organized seems like a daunting, time consuming task, but in the long-run it will save you time, money and energy. Make sure to keep a calender, keep your workspace and living space tidy. Being organized alleviates stress, and helps keep your personal/professional life on track.

4. Networking: It’s not quantity, its the quality! Networking is one of the easiest ways to help yourself and your business get to where you want to go. When you meet people it’s not having a one minute conversation with 100 people that will get you the farthest. Cultivating a few strategic relationships will be more beneficial. After you make a connection with someone, be sure to follow-up within 24 hours, so they don’t forget who you are and vice versa.

5. Ask for the business! One of the hardest parts of selling is the close. If you don’t ask for the business directly, you’ve just canceled out the other 90% of the pitch. You know your product/service is great, so make sure your pitch is tight and your close is even tighter.

6. Appreciation wins over self promotion every single time! Building long-term relationships with clients and customers will keep them coming back for more. Make sure your customer service is outstanding. People will be loyal to you, especially if they like you and how you make them feel. So instead of self-promoting, try putting the focus on them and try to meet their individual needs.

7. Competition is all around! Competing against similar local businesses is tough, but there are several ways to stand out in the crowd. Understand the value of your business. What makes you different? How is your customer service, and how could you take it to the next level? Are you marketing to everyone when you should be marketing to a smaller, specific group? Pinpointing what makes your business unique and flaunting it will make competition disappear.

8. Use cross-promotion! Have a high-end hair salon? Why not do a promotion with a high-end fitness center? Partnerships can be a fantastic free way to bring more business in the door. Be sure to be strategic and find a partner that you trust and that compliments your business.

9. Don’t forget to pick-up the phone! In a world where basically everything is done online, it’s easy to forget that people are people, not email addresses. If possible, try calling or meeting in person. Obviously, that’s not always possible, but at least try to make some of your emails have personality. People are more likely to respond well if you treat them like a individual, not one of many clients/customers.

10. Get Help! Never be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. Places like the Womens’ Business Development Center offer free classes and groups like SCORE and NABO will help you get moving in the right direction.

Author Credit- Lindsey