What’s your plan, Stan?

As we near the halfway point for 2007, what’s your strategy for the next six months?

What will you do to insure that your business booms, not busts?

As you plan ahead, don’t just dwell on what to do. Think, also, about what not to do.

This is as good a time as any to bring out our “don’t” list again.

Want to make sure your business soars in the second half? Then make sure you DON’T...

…meet your customers needs. Exceed them. Good service isn’t good enough anymore.

…wait for customers to come to you. Go to them. In-home selling is hot.

…wait for customers to call. Call them. “Smile and dial” at every opportunity.

…assume your job is secure. The client — or design firm — that hires you today can fire you tomorrow.

…freeze your fees. Raise them. You can set and get any price if you differentiate yourself from competitors who charge less.

…give away your time. Bill for consultation, installation, travel time and everything else.

…advertise. Dare to be different: do articles and news releases instead. Free publicity is the best advertising you can’t buy.

…just think locally. Think globally. Use your website to position yourself in the international market.

…just be a “store.” Be an event center. HGTV-hungry customers want programs on do-it-yourself furnishing projects, what’s hot and what’s not, color trends, etc.

…compete with big box stores. You offer service and expertise. They don’t.

…fear price objections. Embrace them. They’re buying signals.

…hold on to hardship. Underachieving employees and unprofitable product lines bring you down. Get rid of them.

…work harder. Work smarter. Make better use of your working time, and you’ll have more time for family, friends and fun.

…work for jerks. Your time is too precious. Life is too short.