Great to start a new year. Time for thinking back, and making resolutions on what you are going to to better in the future.  Sure they are short lived, but they feel good for a while and give you something to say when others ask.

But what about your business? What has changed?  What have been your successes and what are the shortfalls.  What has changed in the market – customers, competitors and environment?  And then the “so what”.  So what does this mean for your focus, organization, plans and financials going forward?

This is a valuable exercise no matter what business type, size or age. It is great to do this with your team, and also great to get outside perspective and challenge.   Businesses die if they don’t continue to change and adapt – think of paper mills, car manufacturing, or newspapers.  Do you know how to boil a frog?  If you toss them into boiling water, they jump right out because they know the danger.  If you put them in room temperature water and then raise the temperature, they start by thinking everything is ok  - until they are boiled.  You need to keep checking the temperature!

Take the time, get away from the daily grind, review your business and then make meaningful changes that last.