While we just celebrated the end of a decade and the beginning of a new one, it is also a new year, which for many of us means making resolutions. Those may include resolutions to eat better, exercise more or spend more time with family and friends.  Most resolutions have a short shelf life and by April they are long gone as other things get in the way.  However, one place where you rarely hear of new year’s resolutions is in business.  Just like a person, businesses need to look forward.  Resolutions can be separate from goals; they can be the conscience of the business.

With the start of every year, businesses set sales goals and employee goals such as retainage and growth.  However, having a resolution can be something altogether different.  Resolutions can set an underlying positive tone that is not a dry, quantitative metric, but a culture.  I have had the pleasure to work in both the public and private sector, each having its own culture and barriers.  So, as you look at your businesses’ resolutions take some of those things into account.

Resolutions do not have to be big deals with parties and balloons, in fact if you are the CEO you may quietly set a resolution and not tell another person.  That is OK, this is what can grow a CEO and bring you closer to your business.  A resolution can be for a year, a few months, or weekly.  For instance, I was recently driving into work with my wife when she looked at me and said, for the next week she was going to find something positive to say to people.  That could be it for you. In a society where we get bombarded by negative comments, look for the positive in your employees.  It could also be that once a week you go out of your way to reach out to an employee that you do not interact with on a regular basis.  Keep it simple, and make sure it is achievable and authentic.  That short interaction with the employee could make their day, week, or month.

Remember, resolutions do not have to be complicated, they do not need to be rolled out at some big company outing or posted on your website.   Use your business resolutions for your own growth, the growth of those you interact with, and for your company.   The beginning of the year, and decade, is a perfect time to start.

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.