As the year slows down in excited anticipation for Christmas we thought it was time to give you a checklist - after all, there's never been a better time for organisation than December!
It is going to be your biggest year yet, as an employer or employee, you've decided. Let's face it, we all decide that in December.
However, this year it really CAN be! We've compiled our best planning and organisational tools as well as come up with a list of must-dos for any company!
Don't ever think we don't do things for you!
1. Tie up loose ends BEFORE year end
Don't leave everything until next year, chase invoices and catch up with those people you promised yourself you would. Start the year with a clean slate otherwise the odd ends from times gone by will bring you down.
2. Discover new strategies and methods that work for you!
Decide how best to move forward with the new year in terms of marketing and organisation. Is administrative work getting the best of you? Do you need a stronger web presence? Have you got little back from your current marketing strategy? Plan for how these things will impact on next year's budgets and time, then set in place a solid plan of action to tackle these challenges before January or from the onset.
3. Plan for January
Similar to #1, you should ensure that January is planned for effectively. A lot of people have a "leave it until we come back" attitude to those jobs they hate doing, especially towards the Christmas period. Don't return to a cluttered desk and tasks that need to be rushed. Pencil in necessary meetings with clients, associates and potential new customers, then work everything else around it.
4. One year plan
Where will you be in January? Each year your plan should be that little bit more ambitious - because you should have succeeded with the previous goal!
5. Staffing and resources
Are you already short-staffed? Is there a way to free up time or ease tension in the workplace? Plan for how your company will realistically grow or develop over the next 12 months and what that will entail for current staff and resources.
6. Update your thinking on marketing methods
Is there a better way to reach your potential new customers? If the current strategy isn't working, change it or speak to new marketing companies who can implement different - and hopefully better-suited - solutions. Consider the recent development in regards to content marketing, SEO and of course, inbound marketing.
7. Measure analytics to strategise effectively
If you're wanting to implement change, do you have solid reasons for doing so? At a time of year when staff changes are possible and end-of-year reviews and annual meetings about the company's growth pop up, it's time to ensure that you have collated data from the previous year.
Did the company excel with one marketing method? Has one employee seen considerably higher sales than others in the team? How are you going to allow this to positively impact on your organisation as a whole? Before you implement change ensure it is for the correct reasons - data can provide such reasons!
Thrive says...
Where is your company headed in the year ahead? A plan for the next 12 months flies over - we speak from experience - which is why it's important to ensure you get the best out of each year.
To discuss how we can support your business, get in touch with our team today, via hello@thriveability.co.uk.
