Now that the dust has settled on the new year, it’s time for many leaders to get back to business and start creating their 2016 success story. You’ve hopefully been able to spend some time relaxing over the festive period, so you’re ready to face your new challenges with excitement.
Whether you were planning to ease yourself in gently, or you’re ready to hit the ground running, there are some important considerations that need to be on your agenda over the next couple of weeks.
There’s no time like the present, so lets get things moving. Here, we’re going to outline the questions that you need to answer, discuss with your teams, and use to ensure that you’re really prepared for the challenges that January will bring.
Use renewed motivation to improve profits
The first communication I sent this morning was not to our members, but to my team. They are my Go-To sounding board for most things about the business and the people who have most of a vested interested in getting things done. With that in mind, I want them to know all about our plans & challenges first in order to get stuck into them.
If your team are eager to get stuck into new challenges, then it makes sense to embrace this. Your team might be keen to develop their skills, as we’ve already touched on, and savvy leaders know that this needs to be harnessed. Of course, it’s also worthwhile noting that there are still three months left of many folk’s financial years, and what you do now could make a big difference to overall results.
Could you roll out new projects that you’ve had on the back burner for a little while? Are there easy wins that you haven’t yet tapped into, that could have a fantastic impact? How can you take advantage of new year excitement and motivation to breathe new life into your business? Whichever route you choose, make sure you share it with your team to inspire them to deliver.
Most staff are open to new opportunities (and not just with you)
Some passive and some actively looking, many people find themselves contemplating their careers at this time of year;it comes with the territory of starting ‘afresh’ and wanting to achieve different goals. If they’ve been stagnating for quite some time, or they feel like chances have passed them by previously, then it’s around about now that they’re likely to decide that they want to do something about it.
This could mean a couple of things for your business. On one hand, it could present the opportunity for you to develop your staff and encourage them to take on new, value-adding tasks. On the other hand though, it could mean that they’re starting to look outside of your business for better conditions and pay. Be mindful of the impact that this could have, and work out your plan of action.
Legislative changes may impact your plans
Employment law is changing all the time, and generally speaking, this is a positive thing. Legal systems can ensure that you’re keeping your practices up to date, and that you’re creating a business that has an outstanding reputation when it comes to how it handles and develops its workforce.
It’s important though that you stay on top of any changes, and make sure that you’re compliant. There’ll no doubt be developments that will have an impact on your policies over the next 12 months, and preparation is key. Top of the list is the new Living Wage. Pinpoint any new legislation that you’ll have to account for, and start planning your approach. You may need to update your policies, and arrange for consultations and communication drives with your team.
January is a busy time for everyone, and business owners will have their own unique challenges and considerations. What you do now has the power to make or break your 2016, so don’t bury your head in the sand.
Do you think that this could be the year that you decide to get a little bit of help with ensuring that you’re prepared for success, and fully compliant with your responsibilities? If so, we’d be delighted to help.
Get in touch & sign up today to see how TheHRhub could help play a part in your business achievements.
Photo Credit: one day in startup bootcamp by Gunarsg
