One train less.
That was the ambition of a friend of mine who worked in the rail industry — every single New Year.
As December rolled around, he’d sit down and analyse the routes his company operated. Which ones were performing well. Which ones weren’t. And, crucially, which were quietly draining time, money and attention for very little return.
Then he’d do something most business owners find uncomfortable.
He’d cut the least profitable route — and use the savings to strengthen the routes that mattered most.
I’ve always loved that approach, because it’s so counter-intuitive.
Most business owners start the year thinking about what they’re going to add.
More initiatives.
More staff.
More marketing.
More products or services.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: for many £1m+ businesses, the problem isn’t a lack of ambition. It’s overload.
Too many services that don’t pull their weight.
Too many activities done out of habit rather than intention.
Too much energy spent “doing”, without stopping to ask whether it still makes sense.
So here’s a different resolution for this year.
What’s the one “train” you could stop running?
One activity that no longer earns its keep.
One service that’s profitable on paper, but costly in reality.
One initiative that absorbs time, people and cash — without delivering enough in return.
Cutting it doesn’t mean standing still. It means freeing up resources so you can reinvest them where they’ll make the biggest impact.
There is one important caveat.
You can only make decisions like this confidently if you truly understand your numbers.
What actually happens to profit if you stop that activity?
What are the knock-on effects — on cash flow, capacity, or overheads?
And if you redirect those resources elsewhere, how much will you need to invest — how profitable will it be – and how quickly should you expect to see a return?
Without clarity, these decisions feel risky. With clarity, they feel obvious.
That’s where Insight Associates comes in.
We give you a clear, accurate picture of your financial position all year round — and help you understand the real financial implications of the decisions you’re considering. Not just what feels right, but what the data actually supports.
That’s how our clients grow faster and increase profitability: by making informed decisions with confidence, backed by real insight and experienced guidance — not guesswork.
If that’s the level of clarity and support you’d like in 2026, let’s talk.
Simply email garry@insightassociates.co.uk or call our office on 01279 647 447 to book a no-obligation consultation with me or one of our specialists.
Warmly,
Garry
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