Mar 2019 Creating a great 2019 based on what happened last year
You have probably been back at work for several weeks and are fully entrenched in the daily activities of running a business. So with 10 months ahead, how can we set ourselves to have a great 2019?
I think a good exercise is to look back over 2018 and ask yourself, what worked well and what needs improving?
When I do this exercise, I create 2 columns on a piece of paper with the headings as you can see below:
Worked well
- 8 jobs resulted in good profit
- In 10 jobs clients were happy
- Instagram posts were consistent
- Retained core team and they worked reasonably well
Needs Improving
- Jobs – actual man hours exceeded quoted man hours by 20% or more
- 3 jobs – clients were not entirely happy (running too many jobs at once)
- Website hasn’t been updated for 6 months
- Don’t have regular team meetings
- Need some better systems (quoting, tracking jobs… )
- I work too many hours after work
- Profits could be better
Sorting your list
Once you create this list, ask yourself – What do I want to achieve over the next 11 months?
To answer that question start by highlighting the items in both columns that you feel will make up your plan for this year. They should be the things you know will make a big difference to your business. Also add any additional important goals that aren’t on this list.
Then prioritise the list and cross off any items that you don’t feel will help you achieve what you intend and keep the important ones to focus on.
Make them Goals
To turn any item into a goal, just write it this way.
For example: on my list is written: don’t have regular team meetings. Make it into a goal by writing: Meet with Site Supervisors in office every 2 weeks.
Give each goal a deadline and write down the steps you need to take to achieve them.
Don’t have too many things to achieve or you may create overwhelm….. And no-one needs overwhelm!
Final step – Make you Accountable
Think of someone you could discuss your plan with (and become accountable to). It may be your wife, a good mate or business partner (if you have a business partner, then this is definitely an exercise you do together).
Obviously, I have created this example using a Landscape construction business as the model, but the same process applies no matter what your key services are and what your area of speciality is.
So let’s make 2019 a great year!