Feb 2026 My Quick Framework to Review Your Business Performance For 2025
Right now is a great time to review how your business performed in 2025. A simple, honest review will help you identify what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus your energy in 2026.
Part 1 – Quick Rating Exercise
Start by rating the major areas of your business out of 10. Be honest: this isn’t about judgement, it’s about clarity.
Think about how each area actually performed, rather than how you wanted it to perform.
Example: Time Management
If you plan the following week every Friday, create your personal schedule, review the construction schedule as well, and then stick to that plan, quoting on set days, holding weekly manager meetings at set times each week or fortnight, and following through consistently, you might rate yourself an 8.5/10.
But if quoting happens whenever you feel pressured to do it, Team Leader meetings are often postponed, marketing is inconsistent, and job reviews rarely happen, then a 4/10 would be more realistic.
Now take 5 minutes and rate each area below:
TIME MANAGEMENT
Is your week planned and followed?
Rating: /10
QUOTING
Does quoting happen at the same time each week, and is it done thoroughly?
Have your costs been updated?
Rating: /10
TEAM
Do manager meetings happen at least fortnightly?
Do you spend time supporting, training and getting to know your team?
Rating: /10
PROFIT
Was net profit 10% or more?
Are your reaching the Gross Profit that you intended?
Did you pay yourself a wage of $90k or more?
Rating: /10
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Are jobs managed according to the quoted numbers and systems?
Are job reviews happening consistently?
Rating: /10
MARKETING
Are you happy with your consistent social media and marketing efforts?
Are your alliances and referral partners strong?
Do you have 4months worth of work booked?
Rating: /10
JOBS YOU WIN (Construction, Maintenance and/or Design, Pools)
Are you winning the jobs you want at least 50% of the time?
Are you winning 33% or more of the jobs you quote?
Rating: /10
Part 2 – Focus on What Matters Most
Now that you’ve rated each area, add anything you think is missing.
Ask yourself this one key question:
What is the single area that, if improved, would make the biggest difference to my business in the first half of 2026?
For example:
- If profit is poor, the real issue may be quoting and then project management.
- That might mean updating costs, reviewing markups and margins, allowing more labour hours, and tightening your quoting process.
- Then, once a job starts, consistently use your tracking documents and systems with the team and following the process.
- It might also mean knowing the operating costs in your business and ensuring that invoices are paid so cash flow remains healthy.
My suggestion is start with improving the one key area first.
When you focus on one area at a time, the work feels manageable. As you begin to see results, the positive changes will motivate you to keep improving.
Need Help?
If you get stuck, I’m offering a free 60-minute session in February to the first two landscaping contractors who approach me quoting this article and wanting to work on one or two specific issue(s) in their business. Email me at john@landscaperscoach.com.au and tell me about the issue(s) you want help with for your chance to secure your free session.
Wishing you a strong start to 2026!
John Corban