Welcome to 2025! If 2024 felt like a challenge (survive until 2025, anyone?) and you’re hoping this year will bring better fortunes, here’s a reality check: a new year alone won’t change your business prospects. But don’t worry—the secret to success lies in small, intentional changes.
Experts agree that significant transformations stem from small, consistent steps toward your goals. Incremental improvements can lead to major breakthroughs over time.
Here are 25 simple changes you can consider for 2025. The best part? You don’t need to tackle them all. Just start with one!
Personal Development
1. Read for 15 Minutes Daily
Dive into books or articles on leadership, management, or industry trends—or simply read for fun!
2. Take an Online Course
Platforms like Udemy and LinkedIn Learning offer accessible courses to help you build new skills.
3. Start a Morning Routine
Add habits like exercise, journaling, or meditation to boost focus and productivity.
4. Practice Time Blocking
Schedule your day into focused, distraction-free periods to work more efficiently.
5. Seek Out a Business Coach or Peer Advisory Board
Gain guidance and insights from an experienced coach or join a peer advisory board.
6. Listen to Podcasts
Stay inspired and informed with business-focused podcasts.
7. Set Weekly Goals
Break larger objectives into smaller, achievable weekly targets.
8. Join a Networking Group
Expand your professional circle by attending industry or local business events.
9. Improve Public Speaking Skills
Join organisations like Toastmasters or BNI, or practise speaking at local events.
10. Track Personal Productivity
Stay organised with productivity tools like Notion, Todoist, or Trello.
Customer Experience
11. Respond to Customer Feedback
Regularly review customer suggestions and implement meaningful changes.
12. Improve Communication Channels
Make it easy for customers to reach you via email, social media, or live chat.
13. Enhance Your Website
Refresh outdated content, streamline navigation, or add a helpful FAQ section.
14. Send Personalised Thank You Notes
Show appreciation with handwritten notes or personalised emails to loyal customers.
15. Create a Loyalty Program
Reward repeat customers to foster loyalty and retention.
Team and Operations
16. Host Regular Team Check-Ins
Schedule brief weekly meetings to align goals and address challenges.
17. Implement Employee Training
Offer small workshops or cross-training sessions to upskill your team.
18. Document Processes
Start developing simple standard operating procedures (SOPs) for key tasks.
19. Delegate One Task
Empower an employee by entrusting them with a task you typically handle.
20. Conduct a Workflow Audit
Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in your daily operations.
Marketing and Growth
21. Post Consistently on Social Media
Share valuable content 2–3 times per week on platforms your audience uses.
22. Start a Blog or Newsletter
Connect with your audience by sharing insights, tips, or updates.
23. Run a Small Promotion
Test a discount, freebie, or contest to attract new customers.
24. Collaborate with Another Business
Partner with a complementary business for a joint promotion or event.
25. Review Analytics
Analyse website, social media, or sales performance data to uncover trends and opportunities.
If you’re feeling stuck or frustrated with your progress, the key is to start small and stay consistent. This list of “25 for 25” is an excellent starting point for incremental improvements.
Need a more comprehensive business plan and the accountability to see it through? Contact The Alternative Board New Zealand today to discover how we can help your business thrive.
Let’s make 2025 the year of meaningful progress!