The start of a new year is a great time to think about the future. What does this year have in store for your business?
Planning for the future is vital as a business owner, so looking ahead at the start of a new year is essential to assess where you should be focusing your efforts.
Embrace flexibility
In the wake of the pandemic, flexibility remains a hot topic among businesses, and 2023 will prove to be no different.
Whether you run a completely digital business, with your employees working from home, or in a hybrid environment, maintaining and updating your processes and systems will prove vital if you want to stay ahead of the curve.
It’s worth opening the conversation with your team – what do they value in an employer? Are you meeting their needs? Gone are the days of forcing people into the office (some professions still need to be client-facing, and some benefit from the collaboration and camaraderie of in-person work, but on the whole, office work can be done from anywhere).
Upgrade your systems
Artificial intelligence, productivity apps, and other business tools are rising in popularity. Used in the right way, they speed up your day-to-day processes and make your life easier, help you stay connected to one another, and give you the edge over your competitors.
When business is booming or you’re busy, it can be easy to overlook upgrading your systems, as this is a laborious process. You’ll have to train your staff, iron out any teething problems, and close down your old systems.
But if you take the time, you’ll be reaping the benefits these newer working methods can bring you.
Cloud accounting software is a perfect example of this – we’re experts in Xero and QuickBooks – as it allows you to do away with spreadsheets and run all your finances from one solid point of truth.
Renewable is the way forward
32% of business owners agree that environmental sustainability is vital for the future of the economy, as per a recent QuickBooks study.
This means moving to renewable energy as a means to becoming not only conscious of the environment but also your financial stability. Green energy is an attractive proposition, especially regarding rising energy prices across the country.
By switching up your suppliers, using electric vehicles, or encouraging flexible working practices, you’ll be actively making your workplace greener.
This makes you a more enticing environment for a new hire too, as younger generations value a proactive attitude towards sustainability.
Think about your customers
Your customers are still the most important thing to think about in 2023. With a huge amount of reporting information available to you, there is no excuse not to find out as much as possible about the people you provide a service for.
Have you thought about using analytics? How often do you ask your clients what they want to see? What are the trends?
These are all questions you should be asking – they’ll give you a better understanding of what you need to do to take your customer service to the next level.
Talk to a pro
We’re here to help you succeed. Accounting isn’t just noughts and ones – it’s about making businesses better, and using our expertise, we know we can help get your business on the right path.
Get in touch with us to talk about planning, your business, or your goals today.
