Here’s One Question You Should Ask Every Client, Plus More Manager’s-to-Do Items for February

Jan. 30-Feb. 5

STAFF Set a 2021 learning goal for employees. It could be sales skills, social media practices, or technical know-how. Just make sure it is new knowledge they’re acquiring. According to research, workers thrive when they experience both a sense of vitality and of learning. They also are less susceptible to stress and burnout, and much healthier and productive.

NETWORKING Build your business’s local presence. Join a country club or historical society. (You’ll reach seniors.) Or sponsor a local Little League team. (You’ll reach families.) Now’s the time.

Feb. 6-12

STRATEGY Up your market intelligence: Ask every new client: “Why’d you leave your last graphics provider?” At the same time, follow up on defections. A polite inquiry for customers who have decided to go elsewhere will help ensure they’re rare events.

SALES Review your “sales scripts.” Don’t have them? Get writing!

Feb. 13-19

STAFF Share the love on Monday morning. Buy chocolates for your employees this Valentine’s Day. Inscribe the card, “Love your work!”

FINANCES Get an early start on your taxes. On average, small-business owners spend more than 40 hours – a full workweek – filing their federal taxes every year. One in four spends at least three full weeks on the annual chore.

Feb. 20-26

OPERATIONS Give up bacn. The dozens of email newsletters you’ve subscribed to but rarely read were named “bacn” for being a close relative of spam. A study by MessageGate estimates up to 30 percent of emails are bacn. A huge inbox slows searches, eats up storage, and makes your head hurt.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Show your branding expertise by adding a monthly tip for better business marketing and design to your website.

MANAGEMENT Ask staff to write out their answer to this question: “Why do you get up in the morning and why should our customers care?” You may just find a new mission statement in those answers.