As the calendar turns to a new year, it’s the perfect time for businesses to pause, reflect, and set a course for the months ahead. At Team TLC, we closed out the year by redefining our mission—both internally as individuals and externally as a company. With every year comes new challenges, exciting opportunities, and the chance to grow. In this blog, we’ll dive into some essential questions to ask yourself and your team to ensure your business starts the year on the right foot.

Reflecting on the Past Year:

Did 2024 goals get accomplished?
If so, what made it successful? If not, what held it back?

Has staff/business stayed true to its values, mission, and goals?
Reflect on whether your company has remained aligned with its core principles.

What were the biggest challenges, and how can you turn them into opportunities for growth?
Reflect on challenges and lessons to help navigate future hurdles.

Is staff and clients happy?
Consider employee morale, client satisfaction, and the overall health of relationships. What can improve?

Research from Nectar shows, “Happy and engaged employees tend to miss less work, perform better, and support company innovation. When employees are happy, loyal, and engaged, company profits are much higher—and turnover is much lower.”

Reflect on company insights and growth.

How effective has your business outreach been over the past year? Have you expanded your reach and increased awareness, or have missed opportunities hindered growth?

Looking Ahead:

What trends are rising?

Identify emerging trends within the industry, market, or consumer behavior. What’s working?

What’s competition doing?

Analyze competitors’ strategies. Are there opportunities to differentiate or learn from their successes?

According to Mailchimp, “By studying how your competitors are perceived, you can draw conclusions about your own brand’s strengths and weaknesses. Knowing your company’s strengths can inform your positioning in the market, or the image of your product or service that you want members of your target audience to have in their minds.”

What new tools, apps, or technologies are evolving?

Stay informed about advancements that could create new growth opportunities.

Are there opportunities for partnership growth?

Consider collaborations with new businesses, organizations, or influencers that align with company goals and values.

What new markets, clients, businesses can be explored?

Evaluate and identify untapped demographics or sectors where services or products could be needed.

Strengthening the Team:

Are employees balancing one another out and creating collaboration?
Is the team dynamic strong, with individuals complementing each other’s strengths and filling in gaps effectively?

Are team members helping one another grow?
Are there opportunities for mentorship or peer learning within the organization?

The article by Insperity dives deeper into leadership tips, emphasizing the importance of encouraging a team to improve, rather than neglecting their growth during periods of stress.

Is the team aligned with company values, mission and goals?

 

Conclusion:

Starting off the new year on the right foot is crucial for setting up a successful 2025. By asking these key questions and diving deeper into your company’s current state, you’ll set the stage for better results both internally and externally in the year ahead.