1. Use email for your online marketing efforts. While the return on investment (ROI) is hard to pin down for search engine optimization efforts, ROI on email marketing can be as high as $44 for every dollar spent. Small businesses that build their email lists and cultivate a personal touch with each send are engaging a more powerful tool than trying to buy Google hits. (From "Why SEO is the Wrong Tool For Small Business Owners," by Kelly Spors)
2. Encourage lunch breaks away from the desk. Only 1 percent of respondents in a survey said they actually use their lunch breaks to do nothing but eat their lunch. But this doesn't mean increased productivity—in fact not taking a break can lead to an unfocused work day. Make lunch a communal affair at the office by bringing in a large table, and encouraging staff to eat there with you every day. "Show them that hanging out with colleagues (and yes, even the boss) and interacting on a personal level can be a fun way to pass the workday and get to know each other better," writes expert Alexandra Levitt. (From "Why No One Takes Lunch Breaks Anymore (and How to Change That)," by Alexandra Levitt)
3. Start commenting on blogs and articles. This marketing strategy known as a "response campaign" puts your name and business in the eyesight of busy journalists who may eventually contact you as a resource for a future story. (From "3 Easy Tricks to Give Your Business a PR Boost," by Dorie Clark)
4. Experiment with different pricing models. Take a page from car service company Uber's playbook—create a new pricing model for your services. It's a move more companies are offering, which works to set their companies apart from competitors, as well as attracting press and new customers. (From "Eyes on the Price: How More Companies are Breaking the Pricing Mold," by Darren Dahl)
5. Be consistent with your marketing themes. Using different language and designs when creating an integrated campaign only works to confuse the viewer. Being consistent with the look and feel of your campaign "will reinforce your brand while eliminating the need to develop entirely fresh content," writes Chris Lister of Constant Contact, an online marketing tool provider. "Just be sure to adjust your messages to reflect the medium you’re using." (From "3 Steps to Fast-Tracking Your Marketing Efforts," by Christopher Lister)
6. Establish mindfulness triggers. Mindfulness, defined as "the awareness that comes when we pay attention—on purpose—in the present moment, while suspending judgment," is the wellness word du jour. But it also has applications in the business world, making people more focused and less overwhelmed. One way to begin to be more present in your day is to create "mindfulness triggers," or things you see that remind you to take a breather. Here's a good one: "When the phone rings, it can be a cue to really listen. Take a deep breath before answering it, and fully focus on what the caller is saying without multitasking"  (From "6 Ways Being Mindful Can Make You a Better Leader," by Bruna Martinuzzi)
7. Perfectly time your follow-up calls and emails. How often have you sent out a sales email only to be left wondering if the recipient ever received it? An online tool called Yesware cuts that guesswork out of the pitching game, writes small business expert Mike Michalowicz. "It notifies the sender the moment an email is opened," Michalowicz writes. "As soon as you get the notification that your prospect has opened the proposal, that’s when you call to follow up. Your prospect is going to be astonished by the timing of your call, and you’re creating a unique moment that makes your proposal more memorable for your prospect."(From "The Sales Technique That Will Increase Your Close Rate by 25%," by Mike Michalowicz)
8. Determine your main objective when giving bad news. It's tempting to want to backpedal or delay delivering bad news, but you have to think about the health and well-being of your company more than your own personal comfort. Once you know what your goals are, it will inform what you need to say. (From "The 6 Best Ways to Deliver Bad News," by Julie Bawden Davis)
9. Collaborate with your employees to get out of a creativity rut. No man is an island, and it's especially true when it comes to the work environment. Brainstorming with employees and colleagues is a great way to get your creative juices flowing. (From "6 Ways to Be Creative Under Pressure," by Rieva Lesonsky)
10. Avoid choosing someone just like you to run your company. It's tempting to want to find someone who reflects your personality and skill set, but when it comes time to choose a successor, it helps to take into consideration what direction you want your company to go. For example, if you weren't so versed in e-commerce, but want to bring a retail dimension to your company, finding someone with that expertise is a better plan than hiring You 2.0. (From "3 Succession-Planning Lessons From Microsoft's CEO Pick," by Kelly Spors)
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