5 Resolutions For a More Profitable 2008

They also make 55 percent of all decisions concerning consumer electronics, comprise 60 percent of all home improvement buyers and make 80 percent of all home improvement decisions, reports Barletta.

Considering this, CE marketers concentrating solely on the 19- to 34-year-old male demographic are really selling themselves short.

The female boomer generation is the first generation of women to be educated in nearly the same numbers as men and to have worked full time in numbers nearly equal to men.

This multitasker's kids are now leaving the nest and she feels entitled to some fun.

Learn new ways to establish effective relationships with the well-heeled, educated, active and influential generation of women.

RESOLUTION FOUR: Take a Complete Inventory Every Month

Inventory is cash. Think of it that way. Do you check your account balances only once a year? Do you count the cash in your wallet no more often than once every six months?

All businesses -- small, medium or large -- should conduct a complete physical inventory once a month.

Taking inventory monthly reduces pilferage (the trail doesn't gets cold), ends clutter (the box of tangled wire, cramolin and other widgets eventually gets tossed in the dumpster), creates efficiencies (cleans up staging and storage areas) and makes everyone in your company more disciplined and methodical.

RESOLUTION FIVE: Be Proactive In Getting Referrals

We all rely on word-of-mouth advertising, yet very few dealers have any formal referral or testimonial program in place.

The most obvious way to grow your referral business is by asking your clients to promote your services to their friends and colleagues.

To get this process rolling, it would be wise to set the stage early and ask for referrals on your job proposal forms.

Simply add a line item to job proposal forms that asks, "If you are thrilled with our services, will you recommend us to your friends?"

This will prompt your sales consultants to tell your clients that all of your business is referral-based. Just think how encouraged your clients will be to know that you have a healthy and thriving business, based on word-of-mouth.

Finally, when you send clients "thank you" notes, remind them to refer your services. Enclose a few extra business cards for them to use.