As our non-work calendars turn yet again to that time of year we collectively refer to as “The Holidays” and homes and tables are prepared to greet friends and family, it is also time to look at how you will prepare your business for the coming year.
Whether you are looking to welcome in new clients with expanded or different services or treat existing ones to other means of working with you, planning now for even the smallest of upgrades to make you and your clients happy will make a big difference come the new year.
Now I know all this “change mongering” may have you down; you just want to get through the rest of the year without having to think about anything new. But it never does hurt to take stock of what you are thankful for or even what is on your wish list to improve workflow, reduce time on projects, or consider a new revenue stream.
So as you are recovering from your hopefully hearty meals with family and friends, reflect on what it is you do want to at least improve in the coming year or even as this one winds down. Ignore a lot of the noise you may hear on social media (or any media) or even from colleagues and just focus on your business, your processes, and your staff.
It is all too overwhelming to look at all at once, or even to know where to start. But you know your business best and what is either dragging it down the most or could use some basting, so to speak.
Also, do you have a community to bounce ideas or concerns off of? In the toughest or best of times, they can be like your family and source of trust. As I’ve touted before and will continue to do, accounting has some of the most loyal support of any business group I’ve seen in my 30+ years of business journalism.
Gather them around your “table” before the year ends; share what you are considering improving or what is vexing you most. Chances are, they are going through it, or have done recently, and can offer the support and suggestions you may need for software, service, or just a bit of sanity.
Most of all, be thankful for the work you are able to do and the good that you do put out into the world on a regular basis. You clients may not say it enough, but they know. Your staff may not show it either, but they know.