We have 15 days left in 2019. It’s time to celebrate the successes and curate the learning. (And, no, this isn’t the time to overeat, overthink, or overdo!). If you are like most business owners, you never feel like there is enough time.
Last week I had the opportunity to work with business owners who chose to spend the day working ON their businesses. Everybody brought their ’19 challenges and walked away with steps to create opportunities from obstacles.
Each spent the day looking back over 2019 to debrief. One owner had gotten curious about lost business. So, after some due diligence, the owner discovered a huge amount of money left on the table – $3M. Another shared the realization that the capacity of the business was not aligned with its capabilities. Both are valuable as the owners and their teams plan for the coming year.
Next, they recreated their business plans to integrate goals, and new tools, for 2020. Finally, they invested time to learn about exit strategies. Equally valuable was the exchange of resources, information, and support between the group. Everyone acknowledged the challenges of running a business and self-care. The challenges were obvious – but, the how to succeed was not.
The values assessment and ‘19 debrief became mechanisms of focus for the kaleidoscope of the future. Both provided guardrails for defining the path ahead for the New Year. Contingency planning is easier when you already know what is most important (values) and what works, or doesn’t work, for your business (the debrief).
Rather than spend more time reading, I’d like to give you the values assessment and the 2019 debrief. Complete both and then plan accordingly. (Instead of hitting the frig in the wee hours, or tossing and turning, get up and complete these exercises.) Invest some time to set your next decade up for success!
