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December! Another year! Where has it gone!  

A question, a conundrum, most of us pose and face at this time of year.  

It is usually followed by pondering ‘what have I done, achieved, or accomplished, how satisfied am I with life and am I doing what is important to me?  

And as you reflect on your private and business life, are you doing so with joy, despair or a mix of emotions?  

Congratulations if you are shouting with delight, having ticked all the boxes, but if you haven’t, don’t let yourself dwell on what might have been! 

Restart now, reset the calendar and your goals!  

Do you want to run a marathon, make a million dollars, be the best version of yourself or all of those! Don’t let another year pass you by with missed opportunities, use reflection as a way to begin again with purpose. Look back without regret or remorse, learn from mistakes, and celebrate success!  

Simply put, reflecting, auditing, planning and preparing will set you up to find fulfilment and achieve your desired goals in the coming year.  

If you are a small Business operator, December is the perfect time to reflect on the past year’s challenges, setbacks and successes to better prepare for the next year.  

Get started now with these 7 Activities:  

1. Recharge & Reboot: Take time to refresh and recharge your ‘batteries’ to avoid burnout. Renewed energy and rejuvenation can foster new ideas and thinking, and clearer decision-making. And who doesn’t want that!   

2. Review Performance: Review last year’s sales, customer feedback and marketing efforts to identify what worked and what didn’t. What were the key performers and what were the sleepers? Monitor trends, follow industry changes, and act to stay ahead of your competitors. 

    

3. Challenges & Setbacks: Identify any barriers and obstacles encountered, if and how they were overcome or not. Consider the circumstances, and if there were lessons to be learned, takeaways or missed opportunities. 

4. Marketing Strategies: Evaluate and assess which platforms and methods delivered the best returns and value for money spent. Ensure your brand and values are reflected in all advertising activities. Stay true to your product or service to build loyalty and attract new customers.  

5. Gather the Team: Take time to celebrate achievements, acknowledge effort, and a job well done. Show appreciation to all stakeholders, including loyal customers. Going forward, schedule Team Planning days to foster team spirit & cohesion. Importantly, seek input and ideas from staff, and support open and honest conversations to help build trust and loyalty. 

6. Plan for the Future: Planning starts by using the insights gained from the past year to set clear and measurable goals for the coming year.  The Business Plan should be revised accordingly, and a detailed action plan developed. Spell out specific objectives, actions, timelines, and responsibilities. Undertake regular monitoring and accountability to keep track of progress.   

7. Getting your House in Order: Begins with critiquing your operations, systems, processes and equipment. Are they functioning at top efficiency and productivity?  Paperwork, managing and reporting, do you need help or advice. Blackburn Accounting is your family Business specialist that offers an individualised service that helps you keep on top of your cashflow, assists in strategic planning and develops your business capacity for growth and expansion. Don’t delay, contact us today.