Holiday Homework

Holiday Homework

Soon most of us will be ‘signing off’ for 2014 to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. For many it’s a long break, especially if you are not back until 5^th January. So what are you going to do?

1. First switch off, rest and relax. You must re=charge the batteries. You’ll need to be on the top of your game when you get in eth new year.

2. Reconnect with your family, friends and your pastimes. Remember what is important about your life outside work.

3. Set your personal goals for next year:

Holidays
Time off to do what you want or need to do
What are you going to achieve off of your personal bucket
Health and wellbeing
Personal income

4. Book your holidays now – at least 2 a year and the odd weekend away too. It’s crucial to regularly re-charge batteries – once a year is not enough. Holidays give you time to think as well as relax.

5. Now and only now, is the time to reflect on your business – is it delivering what you want it to and if not what needs to change? If it was a good year what do you need to do more of to make 2015 even better.

Here are my 15 questions to ask yourself about 2015

Have you changed your 2015 plans after Q4 2014 performance?
How are you going to get a flying start to 2015?
What are you going to do differently to make more money next year?
Have you booked your holidays yet? No, get on with it – you’re going to need them.
What 3 questions will you ask your top 10 customers? Find out your competitive advantage.
Answer truthfully, could your business continue without you?
Remember glass half full? Believe you can, plan it and then just do it.
Your 3 wise rules. Profitable services, profitable staff, profitable customers. Are they al as profitable as they could or should be?
Which 20% of your customers delivered 80% of profit, and why?
What is your product or service margin, is it enough?
Are your team working with you, for you or against you?
How many customers drifted away last year without you noticing?
If you’re still dealing with the same problem again then now is the time to solve it permanently.
Are you going to take home at least £100,000 in 2015?
Is your organisation organised to be consistently consistent?

You can make 2015 better than 2014 if you want to. The key is to know exactly where you want to get to and how, then get your team all pushing in the same direction. Good luck!

Shirley Mansfield is author of The Grown-Up Business book which is receiving critical acclaim amongst small business owners who what to achieve their business dreams. The Grown-Up Business is available on Kindle and paperback at Amazon or via www.grownupbusiness.com where you can also order an audio version