Look at the big picture

Decision-making often goes wrong because it has only a short-term focus. It takes strategic planning to reach the long-term goals in your business plan, and nearly every decision you make along the way, good or bad, will affect your ability to achieve those goals.

I recommend: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a free online course, "Introduction to Strategic Planning," to assist you in determining your short- and long-term goals. This course offers worksheets and additional tools to guide you through the painless process.

Anticipate and you'll do great

Become an anticipatory decision maker. No one can foresee every twist ahead, but by examining potential areas of improvement in your small business, you'll have time to consider your options before a real need arises.

I recommend: The educational site Horizon offers "Anticipatory Management: Tools for Better Decision Making" with advice and tools to help you think ahead.

Write it down

Get to know some easy-to-use decision-making outlines, including the Pareto Analysis, to help you prioritize your decisions, the Decision Trees, a "pros and cons" list, and the Six Thinking Hats, to show you a range of perspectives.

I recommend: Mind Tools explains various decision-making techniques and lets you print the worksheets for free.

Use cost benefit analysis (CBA)

A cost-benefit analysis contrasts the actual costs to the long-term financial benefits of a specific decision.

I recommend: Check out Mind Tools to discover the financial effects of your possible decisions. The bonus? They give you the low-down without a bunch of 50-cent words.

(Almost) automated answers

Computers do everything in today's world – and yes, that includes helping you make business decisions.

I recommend: Microsoft offers automated tools designed to improve the quality and speed of decision-making. Check out the Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services and the Microsoft Office Excel Add-in for SQL Server Analysis Services.