Determine specific goals, set a deadline for these goals to be achieved, then write them down. The old saying, “Its not real until its written down,” is true here. Next, share these goals with your employees and any invested partners. Get everyone on the same page so that they can all help work towards the goal.

2. Pick your tools.

Determine which tools can best help you meet your goals and how they will be used. These can include, but are not limited to, the web, direct mailings, email newsletters, hosted events, relevant trade shows, outdoor or print advertising, or social media. Next, create a plan for use of each tool. Get help if necessary.

3. Form a budget.

Projects are best not left open-ended. In the same way you assigned a deadline for the goal as a time restraint, the goal should also have a financial restraint. Work with your team to create a budget that reflects your vision and achieves your goals. If you end up under-budget, that’s one more thing to celebrate when you achieve your goals.

4. Assign roles.

The easiest and hardest thing to do sometimes it to delegate responsibility for implementing each part of the plan. More than likely you won’t be able to do all aspects of the plan and so you’re going to have to divvy up the responsibilities. Make sure there are built in accountability measures to check performance.

5. Keep track.

Monitor the results of your team members progress and the goal in general. Beware of project creep. Weekly meetings to remind those involved about the plan and its deadlines may help. Lastly, don’t be afraid to make adjustments as necessary. Being an agile company may be what sets you apart from your bigger competitors.

The first thing is to create an advisory board representative of your customers and promote it. You can do this through the Internet on social spaces or by submitting it to your local newspaper, TV or radio station. Then listen to the board’s ideas and take action on them if you can.

Consider publishing a newsletter about your business for current and potential customers. Send it via postal mail or email it direct. You could and should also post it on your website. Your website should have a news section on it if it doesn’t already. This keeps your site fresh and lets others know you’re still actively in business.

Know what you are in business for and make those values clear to your community. Some businesses promotes their commitment to family—sometimes closing their store early to attend soccer games when their children or employees’ children are competing. Others promote commitment to helping the homeless. What are you committed to?

Make donations on behalf of your business as a way to promote and to show what you are committed to. If you have a landscaping business, for example, contribute landscaping services or plants to a community garden. You can volunteer anywhere in your community and encourage your employees to follow suit.