Taking special care of employees and customers isn’t just for hotels and restaurants; successful companies everywhere are incorporating hospitality into their business strategies. Plan for profit and set goals so you can work toward them. Make sure your PR agency has a true understanding of your business and asks all the right questions.

If you’re looking for more success for your business, your corporate culture may be the perfect place to start. Southwest Airlines sets the perfect example for how great customer service can insulate your business against bad news. If your business is stuck in neutral, call in the pros to kick it into overdrive.

Science now allows you to really get into your customers’ heads to see what reaches them. In order to give your customers the best possible experience, you need to know what every step of the customer journey looks like. Take care of your customers because without them, you wouldn’t have a business.

If your business has signed with a PR firm, of course you want to get the most value for your investment. As the client, there are several ways you can contribute to the success of the PR partnership and maximize your results.

Use all available tools – old and new – to stay ahead

One age-old tool can spark monumental, industry-wide change. If your company website isn’t mobile-friendly, you could face serious consequences. It’s time to have an honest talk about your strategy and your future.

If you ignore Google, it may ignore you!

By Jason Mudd, APR

Your company has followed all the smart advice about making the most of social media for business. Most likely, you have hired a social media manager (or outsourced one) who ensures that you have a constant presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and maybe even Instagram and Pinterest. You may also have some videos on YouTube. What about Google+?

Many companies have neglected Google+ because they feel it’s still new and unpopular. However, there are several reasons why you need to give this platform more than a passing glance. In fact, I would go so far as to say that Google+ should move to the front of the line when it comes to the social media focus for your business. Here’s why:

Distinguish yourself from the competition to see results

Odds are you don’t have a monopoly on your customers’ loyalty, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. It doesn’t matter how many people know about you unless they’re actually making purchases. To achieve remarkable results, produce a remarkable message.

If your company doesn’t appear within the first two pages of Google search results, you could be in trouble. Even though it’s not usually considered part of the plan, strong corporate leadership could be an invaluable tool for your company’s success. Earn your customers’ trust to keep their business.

After a massive data breach, a failed expansion into Canada and increasing negativity from employees, Target's recent decision to rescind the job offers of dozens of new corporate hires was the latest in a string of blunders plaguing the big-box retail store. Target recently opted to terminate 40 of its newest team members within two weeks of their expected start date – with no explanation, except that their positions were no longer available.

The Minneapolis-based, mammoth retailer should have anticipated the potential repercussions of such a decision before dismantling 40 corporate jobs without explanation. This latest flub has brought about a flurry of negative media scrutiny and speculation concerning Target’s financial performance and a potential class-action lawsuit. And worst of all, Target is sending a message that its employees (and its reputation) aren't valued.

Taking extra care of your customers could be the key to your business’ success in 2015. Google’s new algorithms mandate a significant change in your SEO practices. Now is the time to re-evaluate and switch directions for your business.