I was recently asked for one piece of advice I hope people would take from my book about business review. My answer “take time out to smell the roses!”
Well not actually the roses, but you need to be able to step out of your business for long enough to think and challenge your business. This can be hard to do when working 24/7 and hence for many business leaders the Christmas break can be a great time to challenge their business.
But it’s time for the family and friends you might say? Most leaders take a couple of weeks off and need to unwind the mind. One of the best ways to do this is to take a few hours or a day, early in the break and do an end of year review. You are going to be thinking about it anyway and if you can write it down, hopefully, you will stop thinking about work.
For those lucky enough to be able to clear their mind you might think about doing it at the end of your break. It is great for our leaders to have clarity at the start of the year and having a clear plan for the year is a great place to be.
A good basic end of year review checklist might include;
Basic end of year business review checklist
1. List the key business concerns you have.
2. List your successes for the past 12 months.
3. List your failures for the past 12 months.
4. List the key trends in your business.
5. Undertaking a SWOT.
But don’t stop there, this needs to be converted into an action plan.
Your End of Year Action Plan
1. For each of the items pose a solution.
2. List your goals for the coming year.
3. List your key success factors.
4. Prepare an action plan.
5. Communicate your action plan with your staff. (Once back at work)
Some people find this an easy process, others find it very difficult to challenge their own thinking and approach to business. If you wish to get the most benefits you can need to spend a few days planning out your year or work with a business advisor to assist you.
Business advisors can be the highest ROI investment that your business makes. It is generally accepted that those with good clarity over their business direction will be 10-20% more profitable than those that don’t.
For some similar content to this article, check out how to achieve your goals by having 2020 vision here.
I have just published a book entitled Growing Up – Unleash Your Business Growth aimed at business owners who have a passion and vision for Business Growth. If you manage a medium-sized business, are battling with growth roadblocks and have a passion to change, I will be happy to send you a copy of my book free of charge. (Yes, it is a real book, not an eBook).
Just follow the link at www.unleashyourbusinessgrowth.com David Nixon is Director, Advisor, Author and Entrepreneur and is recognised as Australia’s Authority on Unleashing Growth Barriers for SMEs.
