What 5 New Skills do you Want to Learn in 2008?

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Learn New Pet Business SkillsHappy New Year! Welcome to a new year and with a new year comes many new chances to learn new skills that you can use to create a more joyous life and business. Really we get this opportunity every day - but at this time of year change is in the air and I tend to give the subject of new goals and challenges more thought.

So today I wanted to ask you which skills you would most like to learn this year and what information I can give you here at Working with Pets that can help you learn.

To break the ice here is my list of 5 skills that I would love to learn or improve this year:

1) Learn how to set up systems and outsource work so that my pet sitting sitting business can manage itself next Christmas. My family have made plans to travel to Tennessee together next Christmas so that the whole family can celebrate together and I don’t want to be the one not to go because of my business. To take time away I will have to ensure I have a staff of available sitters, put together systems for managing new customer calls, distribution of pet sitting jobs, an emergency management plan, and possibly even outsource my responsibilities to an office manager. This one scares me a little as I will have to relinquish control to others - this is a common fear for any pet business owner - but one we eventually have to overcome to grow our pet business. I’ll let you know how I progress with this goal - I did make some big strides this year by setting up job assignment systems, and a pet sitter incentive plan. I’ll be telling you about these in future posts.

2) Learn how to create a interactive online forum where pet business owners can learn from and help each other. This is my next project and I have already made a start. I hope to have this up and running later this month so that pet business owners can network and share ideas. I want this to be a place where new and experienced pet business owners alike can come for inspiration and discuss everything about their business and also make new friends. Stay tuned for a launch announcement!

3) Learn how to share knowledge through teleconferences and podcasts. This year I hope to host several live tele-conferences and create recorded podcasts that will be available on this blog. Achieving this will require that I find topics of interest, learn how to use recording software, polish my speaking skills, and network with other pet professionals to partner with interview candidates.

4) Learn to balance work commitments with family and fitness. I want to be able to post valuable content here for you at Working with Pets, maintain quality time with family, and also make time to eat healthy and exercise. This is a time management task and a task to use time more effectively.

5) Learn to focus on one goal until it is complete. I have to admit that I have “shiny object syndrome”. Any time there is something new mentioned on a blog, in a magazine, or that I read or a book - I like to drop everything and run after the new idea. I am easily distracted by new stuff. This year I want to avoid distraction and remain focused on my goals for my business, my family, and my health and fitness.

So please tell me about your plans for the new year and share some of the new skills that you look forward to learning. You can leave a comment with this post or email me at daniellechonody@gmail.com.

What information can I give you here that will help you learn those new skills? What topics would you like to see discussed here in 2008? What questions do you need answered to take your pet business to a new level of success in 2008?



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Comments

2 Comments so far

  1. Dog training on January 5, 2008 4:17 pm

    Sound and informative information for anyone wanting to start their own business. First and foremost one should research the need for a pet sitting business in your local area. If the prospects seem viable look to advertising your new business in places such as pet stores and veterinary surgeries.

    marion

  2. Diana Guerrero on January 6, 2008 6:57 pm

    Outsourcing and assistants are a good idea. I was locked into my pet sitting business without a vacation for three solid years…it is scary but get some good advice from the Small Business Association and Employment Development Department.

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