It’s hard for business owners to be future-focused when things are still so uncertain.
For the past two years, businesses have been trying their best to predict what’s coming next while waiting for events to settle down.
While it’s wise to be cautious about making any big moves, we also need to find a way to drive forward and keep growing.
One of the best ways to do this is by reviewing the business lessons learned over the last 12 months and using them to set the course for 2022.
With a sparkling new year ahead, now is the perfect time to reflect on where you’ve been and look ahead to where you’d like to go.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for success in the year ahead.
Business Lessons Learned From 2021 And How To Plan Ahead
Business Lessons Learned In 2021
If 2021 was a challenging year for your business, it’s natural to want to put it behind you. But before you shift focus to the year ahead, make sure you extract all the value you can from the last 12 months.
Put that hindsight to good use by looking at the valuable business lessons learned in 2021. Here are some themes to help you get started.
Remote Work is the Way of the Future
While not every business can operate 100% remotely, many of them can find ways to include remote work in some aspects of their management. Working from home has become the new normal and is likely to keep trending after the pandemic.
Remote work or hybrid models make sense in a digital world, providing convenience, ease, and flexibility for any business.
Diversification Can be a Gamechanger
PIVOT! was the buzzword of the last couple of years. And not just because we all watched far too many Friends reruns over lockdown! It became big for a good reason. Putting a few of your eggs into different baskets can help your business survive when times get tough. The most resilient companies are those that diversify.
Emergency Savings and a Backup Plan are a Necessity
Expect the best but plan for the worst. Many businesses were forced to dip into their emergency funds or seek financial support to stay afloat last year. Those without cash reserves or backup plans struggled much more severely than those with savings to fall back on.
If you drained your emergency fund or didn’t have one in place, now is the time to remedy it. Put aside a little each week to build your emergency fund back up again.
Agility is Vital
The ability to scale up or down (or sideways) has saved many businesses in the last few years. Overnight lockdowns and ever-changing rules require us to think on our feet and respond quickly. Try to adopt this kind of thinking in your business at all times so that you can leap into action if needed.
Effective Planning For 2022
What do you wish you knew this time last year? Are there things that would have made your life easier if they were in place back in January 2021? Take the insights from your business lessons learned last year and turn them into action now.
As yourself the following questions:
- How can I integrate more remote work strategies into my business this year?
- Are there ways to diversify without straining my resources?
- Have I got six months of savings stashed away and an emergency plan in place for if things go south in 2022?
- How can I adjust my budget to save more money?
- What systems and processes can I implement to help my business be more flexible and agile?
The Winds Of Change
Put some thought into what changes you can make to your business this year, regardless of what happens. See if any of these objectives resonate:
- Introduce new, more efficient systems
- Outsource vital business tasks to experts
- Get extra help with admin work
- Expand your services
- Optimize your marketing strategy
- Create a more effective budget
- Improve customer services
Planning ahead may seem like a big ask when the future feels so uncertain, but remember that the best plans are those that have flexibility built in.
Regardless of what’s going on in the world in 2022, you need an idea of where you’d like to head with your business. The route and priorities may change during the year, but with a smart strategy behind you, you’ve got the roadmap you need to succeed.
Set Yourself Up For A Successful 2022
If 2021 felt like fighting a losing battle, maybe it’s time to get yourself an army! Admin Army can help you with your bookkeeping, payroll, or general admin, so you have the time and energy to focus your attention on the things that really matter.
Contact us today to see how we can help you and your business plan for a successful year.