Twelve  New Year business resolutions that could make you rich and relaxed this year!

They’re all pearls of wisdom from well-known self-made millionaires:

Know your customer: Write an intimate profile of a typical customer – who are they?; how and what do they think?; know their routines, their aspirations and worries, likes and dislikes?; share your profile with your staff, get them to improve it.

Talk to customers: Go out with your sales team – every week.

Talk non-customers: Even more useful. Ask them questions, make them feel involved.

Staff: Are they at the top of their game?  Attitude, understanding and skills – are they right?

Clear, attainable, performance goals: Set individual and corporate goals; ‘same page’ etc.

Invention, creativity, problem-solving.  “Invite” your staff to contribute.

Delegate and praise: All staff, all the time. It’ll get you home by 6.30 pm!

Recruitment: Save money and recruit by posting your job vacancies on BrightonandHoveJobs.com. Always hire people who are brighter and better than the person they replace; take time and care.

Apprentices: Hire an apprentice. Good for the company, good for the country and good for you.  Design a proper apprenticeship programme. (Get advice, if you need it).

Marketing: Spend more time on social media management; check that your website out-performs those of your rivals for relevance, freshness, and user-friendliness?

Prices: Have a pricing rationale; be confident; be firm; don’t be greedy. Absolutely no discounting.

Cash is king: Invest skill, time and effort in reducing your age debtor days; scrutinise  your cash balance every night and BUILD.