1. Stop using an either/or mentality. Looking at the world in such black and white terms can blind you to a number of other available options. (From "Decisions, Decisions: 4 Steps To Making Better Choices In 2014," by Mike Michalowicz)
2. Take advantage of LinkedIn groups. "LinkedIn is 277 percent more effective for lead generation than Facebook and Twitter," says social media expert Karen Yankovich. Participating in active groups on the social media site is a great way to network. (From "9 LinkedIn Hacks That Will Boost Sales," by Julie Bawden Davis)
3. Bring on an experienced team member. Successful entrepreneurs know the importance of bringing in a key hire who has experience in areas they lack. (From "How Entrepreneurs Outside Of Silicon Valley Are Making Millions," by James O'Brien)
4. Build meaningful partnerships. Working with other businesses and consultants can help stretch your company's limited resources, advises SCORE. (From "Four Ways To Scale Your Business Responsibly," by Lisa Wirthman)
5. Get a better sense of what's ahead for your company. Use information such as economic indicators or business trends to put together contingency plans that will set you apart from your competition. (From "4 Ways To 'Better' Your Competition)," by Brian Moran)
6. Never stop learning. There's a wealth of information online for would-be to established entrepreneurs to peruse. Learn how to build mobile experiences to bring your company to your on-the-go customer, or start from square one by learning how to write a great business plan. (From "10 Online Classes Sure To Boost Your Business Skills," by Vivian Wagner)
7. Find other distribution avenues for your product. By determining who else could benefit from your product, you can find another source of revenue for your business. Take the founders behind Skagit Valley Malting for example: They realized that bakeries, as well as their craft brewery customer base, would want their boutique malted barley. (From "From Wasted Crops To Craft Beer: 4 Steps For Creating New Market Demand," by Jason Brick)
8. Offer personalized customer service. "Online customers now expect to be personally greeted when visiting a site they visit often, and won't settle for anything less than a pleasurable and informative shopping experience," writes business expert Barry Moltz. (From "10 Things Customers Will Demand in 2014", by Barry Moltz)
9. Use above-the-board SEO practices. Google penalizes companies and sites that try to game their algorithms to boost their search rankings with spammy tactics. If you're working with a SEO consultant, make sure to ask specific questions about just how they plan to improve your search results. (From " Lessons From Rap Genius: Why You Shouldn't Try to Game Google Search Rankings," by Kelly Spors)
10. Crowdsource your prices. The best way to find out just how much customers are willing to pay for a product is to ask them yourself. "Each time we introduce a new price point, we look to our customers for guidance first (through surveys and focus groups), and then do market research on comparable products," says Shannon Malone, director of product strategy at Warby Parker. (From "3 Tips For Pricing Your Products," by Elisha Hartwig)