And why you must Think Big for 2024
Every year, around this time of the year, you start to see these messages on social media…
“Nothing could be worse than 2019. Bring on 2020!”
“Nothing could be worse than 2020. Bring on 2021!”
“Nothing could be worse than 2021. Bring on 2022!”
“Nothing could be worse than 2022. Bring on 2023!”
And what did we get?
COVID, economic disaster, the war in Ukraine, several changes of prime minister…
We seem to be in cycle of ever-worsening crises.
Now, I don’t want to tempt fate!
But for once, I genuinely feel optimistic about the coming year.
And – knock on wood – I really do want to bring on 2024.
Why? Because for the past year, many businesses have been struggling with huge amounts of uncertainty. Business owners have run themselves ragged, worrying about higher interest and inflation rates and volatile exchange rates. The worsening disparities in the economy between the haves and have-nots have been difficult to get used to.
In my experience, many businesses have spent much of the year either fire-fighting or taking short-term measures to protect their business in this age of uncertainty.
It’s been very stressful. And it’s made planning incredibly difficult.
But now, I feel that we’ve turned a corner. Things feel a bit more stable, economically.
Inflation has dropped, while interest rates have stayed steady in five of the last six months.
Yes, I know that there is likely to be a general election coming up, but even if there is a change of government, how different would Labour be to the Conservatives, fiscally speaking?
All this makes it easier to look ahead and for the first time in a long while, do some serious long-term planning. As you know if you’ve been reading my emails for any length of time, I regard long-term planning as a key business activity that gives your company purpose, structure and direction. It’s essential!
So as we approach the period between Christmas and the New Year, I urge you to take advantage of what is traditionally a quiet time, and think seriously about where you want to take your business in 2024.
Now that the economy seems to have calmed somewhat, there may be incredible opportunities – if only you look for them.
For example, do you have the possibility of structuring your business in a more profitable way? Of entering an exciting new market? Of doing something slightly different? For the first time in years, you may have the breathing space to execute something really ambitious…
…And to do something a little riskier than you would have done over the past few years, because the external environment is more accommodating.
So think big. Make 2024 your year for growth.
And if that’s something you’d like help with, please do get in touch. We run a one-day intensive to help businesses plan for the future – not just one year, several years ahead.
You’ll be working with me personally to explore both your personal and professional ambitions in more depth than you ever have before – and then to design a business that you’ll love.
And of course, we make sure that your plans are not just great in theory, but stack up financially too.
Warmly,
Garry