Happy New Year! As we greet 2016 and get back to work, it’s a great time to reflect on the past year and refocus our business priorities to take advantage of new opportunities. This is especially true when evaluating the successes and struggles of your past advertising and marketing campaigns and how they hit – or missed the mark for your business. Much like personal resolutions we make, often our business goals go by the wayside after a month or two into the New Year. It doesn’t have to be this way.

Think about having a New Year Review kickoff breakfast with your staff. Let them tell you what worked, what didn’t and solicit their ideas for top strategies they feel could better your business processes. Think of this as a fun goal setting session with measurable targets and awards. By working with your team to clearly define goals for yourself and your business this year, your staff becomes part of the strategy team – and not just the implementers. Working with your staff to create “hit lists” of desired achievements and breaking them down into digestible actions will encourage each member to have a sense of ownership and accountability for the success of the business. Scheduling quarterly milestones to work toward (and celebrating them when met) will help empower your team, increase buy-in, and will enhance your credibility as a caring manager. Best of all, reporting in to each other will help you and your staff stay on track and keep the momentum building throughout the year.