Another New Year Is At Hand! -- Pay close attention to things happening around you. I am sharing these trends that I see unfolding, and I strongly caution you to take positive steps so that they don't steamroller over you and your business this year. Following are two that I feel you must become aware of, with more over the next few weeks:

#1 - RETENTION
Customer Retention is a big one! Attracting new customers has become increasingly difficult, making the retention of existing customers a big priority for several reasons:

• It really does cost less to keep customers than get new ones even when times are good. With the incredible lack of trust among consumers today, the saving are significant!
• Secondly, referrals are the new “customer gold”, available only to those hardy “miners” who are knowledgeable enough to know how to do the “mining” in a totally trustworthy manner.

Retention of good employees is directly tied to your ability to retain customers, and is especially critical when “mining” for referrals!

• Don't let the high unemployment issue blind you to the fact that good employees are still not easy to find and keep.
• The employee who knows how to treat your valuable customers may well be your most valuable tool this year for increasing your customer base through referrals!

#2 – SELF EMPLOYMENT
As the fact sinks in that their old jobs will not be coming back, the unemployed will be faced with options they don't like. Some will take jobs at a lower pay scale and adjust. Others will decide to take advantage of government subsidized training to qualify for jobs in a different field. Some will relocate for better job opportunities.

However, many will decide to become self employed. You can expect a significant upturn in new business start ups in the cleaning industry! Parents & grandparents will lend money for equipment once they realize that good training is easily available in this industry, (and everyone already thinks this is an easy business)!