… to be PLANNING! By now you should be able to estimate your 2011 results accurately. These will form the basis for next year’s goal setting and planning. If you have not yet put pen to paper on your 2012 plan, you are not positioned to hit the ground running – in 22 days!
What went well in 2011? Where did your new business come from? Where are you going to find more of this type of business and customer? What did not work? Are you going to modify or eliminate these activities? If eliminated, what activities will replace them? Why will these be more productive?
Right now I’m going through this process with most of my business consulting clients. We are examing our results, comparing them to our goals, setting new goals for next year, and critically evaluating business processes to find improvement and efficiency. Employee performance is being reviewed so that training and performance goals can be set. Only through the continuous examination, refinement and adjustment of processes can we meet the ever-changing demands of the marketplace.
If you don’t have the financial data and history to make these evaluations, you need to talk to your accountant and/or bookkeeper; if you don’t know how to use these results to reset your goals and plans for the next year, you need to get with your business consultant!
More soon, Randy
Your Partner in $ucce$$
Randy Elo is the founder and president of Elo Business Operations Consulting Inc.