End-Of-Year Reflections & Setting 2015 Goals

Was 2014 a good year for business? Maybe you increased your customer base in 2014 or maybe business was the same or a bit slower. Depending on the part of the country you are in, and your customer's socioeconomic situation, things may have been good or bad.

However your business did in 2014, it's a good time to reflect on the goals you set for yourself and your business at the beginning of 2014 and re-evaluate strategies for 2015.

Setting Goals for 2015
It can be challenging, especially for smaller businesses, to set aside time to plan for the upcoming year. We often get so wound up in the day-to-day operations of running classes, paying our bills and interacting with customers, that we don't take time to really think about our goals for our businesses and how to accomplish those goals. Here are just a few ideas to get your brain cells fired up for 2015:

• Create a goals list. Keep it by your desk to remind you of your 2015 goals.
• Identify several small goals that you can accomplish without too much outlay of cash or time. For example: Fix that leaky faucet in the gym bathroom; repaint that studio that was always too dark; clean off the front desk and office to present an organized polish view to customers; add some large potted plants around your swimming pools to bring nature indoors. Accomplishing these goals will give you confidence and make you feel good.
• Jot down a list of all your customer complaints and suggestions from 2014 – and vow to remedy as many of them as possible.
• Look at the last few months of your earnings and expenses. Identify unnecessary or wasteful expenses and eliminate or reduce them.
• Plan an appreciation party for your staff – Let them know you appreciate all of their hard work.
• Simplify your pricing in 2015 for your classes and services. Your customers will appreciate it.
• Give yourself more free time from your business. Have a trusted instructor or partner take over for a day or two. Use the time to unwind and re-energize.
• List 3 ways you find joy in your business. Focus on those joys to keep your spirits high when things are tough.

Most of all, don't get complacent with "business as usual."  Keep things fresh and moving. Your competitors aren't standing still!

ClassJuggler Holiday Support Schedule

While you can always see the most up-to-date holiday schedule on the ClassJuggler sign-in page, here is the complete list of dates support will be closed. Feel free to email us on these dates and we'll respond to you as soon as we are back in the office:

• December 22nd—26th – Christmas
• January 1st – New Year's Day

Fresh Holiday Cranberry Recipe

Just in time for the holiday, we thought it would be fun to post one of our favorite recipes that is not only good for the holiday, but year-round. This version of the cranberry recipe is one of my favorites. I love it with turkey or ham, on a sandwich, or even spread on salmon.

Fresh Cranberry Relish

• One bag of fresh whole cranberries (washed and picked through)
• 1/3 cup sugar
• One medium orange (kind for juicing)
• Small knob of fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions
Peel a one-inch section of the fresh ginger root and then slice into four thick discs. Wash the orange and zest approximately 2 Tbsps. of the skin–avoiding white pith. Cut the orange in half and juice. Add the zest, juice, water, sugar and ginger to a medium saucepan on medium heat. Stir to incorporate the sugar. Once the mixture gets hot, add the washed cranberries and increase heat to med-high. Cranberries will begin to "pop" as they get hot. Stir occasionally and cook for approximately 10 minutes. You can partially cover the pot or use a screen to prevent splashes. Cook until all or most of the berries have popped open. Cook less for a chunkier version, longer for a smoother version. Allow to cool. Can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks in an airtight container.