10 small-business resolutions for the new year

Let these New Year's Resolutions from small-business owners and managers in the Shreveport, La., area inspire you to get started on a more prosperous 2014.

1. Analyze your customer service. "If customers don't think they are getting the best service, they are going to go elsewhere." — Diana M. Simek of Ark-La-Tex Export & Technology Center

2. Focus on a customer's needs. — Theudas Allen of Allen's Grill

3. Operate with integrity, treat people well and keep prices reasonable. — Eddie J. Brumfield of Jace Consulting

4. Reach out to the generation that grew up with the Web to persuade them that not all shopping is best online. — Ginger Clarke of Clarkes Jewelers

5. Emphasize that buying from us means service is free. If they buy online, they'll still have to pay elsewhere for service. — Don Peach of Shreveport Music

6. Make it convenient for a client to do business with you. We're going to be focusing on better pick-up and drop-off. — Edric Richardson of Cool Geeks computer repair and website design

7. Market to everybody in your neighborhood. We've got 8,000 to 12,000 potential customers downtown right near us. — Gayle Dixon of Downtown Tire and Accessories

8. Set your sights beyond local customers. — Zayne Grantham of Diamond Heart Design, graphic design and Web development

9. Work from home when you can. Sometimes planning can get lost in a crush of clients. — Bobby Jones of Fork and Spoon Market

10. Plan 2014 out now, so clients can count on you each week throughout the year. — Laura Hayes of Healthy Me Nutrition and River Cities Nutrition