I don’t mean the Chinese New Year, the Jewish New Year or the new Federal fiscal year. I’m talking about the regular old New Year that happens on January first.
Business-wise, are you ready for it? Or will you start getting ready for it on January second?
If your business is struggling, I suggest you reconsider that strategy. In fact, if it’s one of the ones having a really hard time, I’d suggest you’re a little nuts to wait until January 1 to start your business’ new year.
Let’s talk about “the Why”.
From all I’m hearing on the street, some businesses are having a pretty good year (and no, I’m not kidding), but others are struggling a little (so says the Department of Obviousness) and some are struggling mightily.
It’s pretty much like any other time, with one difference: the definitions of “struggling a little” and “struggling mightily” have changed substantially for a lot of businesses.
Depending on who you ask, we’re either in the deep, dark depths of a recession or things are turning around (those who think “GDP growth” are in this camp). Trouble is, GDP growth doesn’t mean much to you and I if it doesn’t change the bank balance, cash flow, et cetera so let’s slide back into realityville.
If you’re already having a good year business-wise, I suspect there’s a good reason for that (such as: you’re doing the right things), but it might be that you’re just lucky. There’s nothing wrong with that, remembering that someone said “It’s better to be lucky than good”.
The group I really want to speak to today is the group whose businesses are struggling, regardless of the reason. Maybe it’s because of the economy, maybe something else is hurting your business or maybe the tourist season was unkind to you for whatever reason.
No matter what, it’s good for all of us in some way, shape or form for you to start turning things around. It’s good for your neighbor or that kid down the street who tried to sell you Boy Scout popcorn last month.
So in order to help you have a Happy New Year and start making all that other stuff happen, I want you to start your own stimulus plan by start the New Year today in your business.
Do it right now.
Did I outlaw December? Nah, I’m into Night of Lights, Rotary’s Brunch with Santa, eggnog and all that stuff as much as the next guy.
BUT…You have about six weeks until January first. I suggest you put those six weeks to very good, very strategic use.
Now that hunting season is winding down and Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons have started, some businesses are mentally winding down for the year. I understand that the temptation to join them is strong. I also understand that for many, your business is sucking wind. If so, you just can’t wait six weeks to get serious again.
I don’t mean that you should skip all the family stuff you do for the holidays and work late on Christmas Eve. However, I do ask that you get very strategic about how you use the valuable time left in the year rather than coasting through it like most everybody else.
Rather than not hiring, interviewing, or starting new projects because it’s the holiday season, I suggest you do just the opposite: Pull the trigger today, or at least start / continue the process today.
Get up an hour earlier on Thanksgiving. Get up an hour earlier on Black Friday. Keep that up for the rest of the year. If nothing else, the valley’s coffee business will improve (kidding).
For every hour of work, ask yourself: “Is this getting me closer to where I need to be, or is it just busy work that I can delegate or not do at all?”
If you have new projects planned for 2010, think of the project as a fully loaded semi-truck (80,000 pounds of coolness) and use the next six weeks as the acceleration lane to get that semi up to highway speeds.
Finally, be ruthless with yourself and your time. Focus like your next meal is on the line. It might be.
Want to learn more about Mark or ask him to write about a business, operations or marketing problem? See Mark’s site or contact him via email at mriffey at flatheadbeacon.com.