4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before 2012

As the year winds down, we’re in the office for a few days until we enjoy a long holiday weekend to welcome 2012 to our lives. It’s got me thinking, however: What do I need to be thinking about to put my business where it needs to be in 2012?

The short week is the ideal time to let things fall by the wayside when in all actuality, we should be grabbing those dangling tasks and loose ands and wrestling them to the ground. No more things left undone. No more “I should haves” to worry about in the New Year. So here’s my list of 4 questions I’m asking myself as the year comes to an end, as with every end, there’s a beginning. I’m determined to make 2012 the best beginning yet.

People: Whom do I need?

When you’re trying to pull a Jim Collins and get the right people on the bus, there’s no shame in continuously re-evaluating who’s on board and just maybe, who needs to be getting off at the next stop. Are you staffed with a team that will help you scale or are you bogged-down by a crew that leaves you wanting?

Cash: Where is it?

From January 1 onward, your books should be in order. Your cash position should be a few clicks of the mouse or a phone call away. Have you put yourself in a position where you own lock, stock, and barrel your company’s cash position? And if not, what are you going to do about it?

Priorities: What are they?

Every year brings something new to a business owner. What does 2012 hold for you? If you think you’re going to trudge along with more of the same old, same old from this year on into next, you might be missing the boat – or the bus, as the case may be. If you can, on January 1, enumerate your priorities for the business year ahead, consider the clear vision with which you can approach each new business venture. It’s great to see situations through a clear lens instead of ones clouded by oversight.

Personal Life: Does it exist?

Being in business 24/7 only does one thing: It kills every other part of your existence. If you’re fighting tooth and nail to keep your business afloat or moving forward at the expense of YOU time, you might be building your business wrong. Where do YOU fit into your business strategy for 2012? And do yourself a favor: pencil this question into your calendar once a quarter. It’s funny how we shift our personal lives for the sake of business, yet rarely vice versa.

Posted by: John Cushman on December 28th, 2011 // View Comments
Posted in: News
Tags: Business, Business Productivity, Business Tips
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