Winter has arrived and Mother Nature is preparing – nothing new is growing, leaves have been shed, grass has stopped growing and everything is closing down in preparation.

But this is more than just preparation for the coming cold, this is preparation for the Spring that will follow.

For plants and animals alike, this ‘hibernating’ phase will protect them from harsh weather and give them the time they need to rejuvenate and be well prepared to bloom again and create new life when the warmer weather returns in a few months.

Us business owners need to do the same – no, not snuggle under the duvet until March – we need to think of the last couple of months of our business year as the equivalent of winter and we need to plan for the year ahead.

Even if your fiscal year ends in a different month, like March, it feels natural to reflect and plan as we approach the end of our calendar year.

Now, this isn’t some airy-fairy thing that you simply don’t have time for or that you shouldn’t care about. This is important and will have a major impact on how successful your business is next year and how successful it will be in the years after that. Continue reading →