By: Karen G. Hatcher, CPM®
Back-to-school season isn’t just for students; it’s a prime time for business owners and entrepreneurs to hit the reset button too.
Our kids really enjoyed their summer break but I honestly look forward to the calmer and regular routine after the everchanging schedule“storm” of Summer. We do love the additional time spent together as a family and the children exploring their creative passions (and we support it), it has me all over the place from one camp to the next, and it honestly throws my schedule into cray-cray.
So as we settle into the back-to-school routine, I find myself reflecting on my progress towards the goals I set at the beginning of the year. I committed to going deeper into my business and personal life so I could soar to new heights, as envisioned on my vision board. Remember, “alignment” is what I’m aiming for.
With this season serving as a natural checkpoint, I’m taking the time to assess where I am and start planning for 2025.
Last year, I shared seven ways to get your business affairs in order during the back-to-school season. Here are a few more strategies to consider:
- Review and Revise Goals
Take time to assess where you are and where you need to increase focus and scaling. For us this year, automation is key to streamlining operations and freeing up time for growth. Here are some areas I’m focusing on:
- Finances
- Investments (including human resources)
- Charity/philanthropic levels
- Technology investments
- Innovations
Employee performance evaluations are paramount. Regular check-ins, both one-on-one and team-wide, are essential to gauge progress and identify potential roadblocks which I do weekly in both team settings and one-on-one’s
While growth and development are priorities, addressing underperformance swiftly and decisively is equally important. Building a high-performing team requires strategic investments in top talent and the courage to let go of those who aren’t aligned with the company’s vision. I’m building a team of “lifers” – people who share my vision and are in it for the long haul. To do that, I need to be intentional about who I bring on board and be willing to let go of anyone who won’t help us meet our objectives.
- Start. Stop. Keep.
Start. Stop. Keep. As I am assessing, I use the “Start. Stop. Keep” method of vetting any outdated methods and recognizing methods that are working. This simple yet powerful framework helps me streamline processes and focus on what truly drives results.
- “Start” prompts me to identify new initiatives worth exploring. For instance, if I notice a trend towards automation in my industry, I might research tools that could save my team time and energy. By proactively starting fresh approaches, I stay ahead of the curve.
- “Stop” is just as crucial. It forces me to honestly examine current practices that no longer serve us. Perhaps we’ve been using a particular software out of habit, or the wrong person is on your team or a client that sucks the life out of your team and the juice is not worth the squeeze. Better alternatives exist. By stopping outdated methods, I eliminate inefficiencies and free up resources and time.
- “Keep” celebrates the strategies already yielding positive outcomes. Rather than change for change’s sake, I continue investing in proven approaches. This ensures momentum isn’t lost and successes are built upon.
- Set New Goals
Even in the third quarter, there’s immense value in recalibrating your goals. Take a moment to reflect on your progress and envision your next steps. Goal setting is a timeless practice that fuels motivation and direction. For me, this kind of business planning is a timeless classic that never goes out of style because No matter how much we grow, the fundamentals of goal-setting remain crucial for giving us direction and motivation.
One of my go-to sources of inspiration is the book “The One Thing” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan – it’s my fourth time reading and this year, I’ve turned it into a team exercise, sharing insights with my colleagues. Their focus on eliminating distractions and prioritizing core tasks has been a game-changer.
By taking stock now, we can celebrate victories, course-correct where needed, and set ambitious goals for the future. Remember, it’s not just about the destination; it’s about the journey and the continuous pursuit of improvement.
- Update Policies and Procedures
As the business landscape evolves, so too must our internal policies. This back-to-school season is an ideal time to review and update your employee handbook. Changes in hierarchy, benefits, or company procedures should be clearly outlined and communicated.
I learned this lesson firsthand when an employee challenged an outdated vacation policy. It was a wake-up call to prioritize regular handbook reviews.
The employee challenged me on a policy that I had not realized had become outdated as it related to employee vacation policies. Although the employee used this to their advantage, I saw the incident as a chance to improve our policies.
I immediately contacted our HR partner to update the policy to reflect our scaled growth. I have now implemented a yearly review of our employee handbook policy, which includes a signature requirement for all employees to acknowledge compliance.
Implementing this yearly review process, complete with employee acknowledgment, ensures everyone is aligned with current policies and procedures.
- Fine-tune Your Marketing Strategy
As seasons change, so should your marketing approach. Now’s the perfect time to evaluate your tactics and identify areas for growth. Audit your social media, consider strategic partnerships, and refresh your messaging to resonate with your audience’s evolving needs.
Remember, marketing is a dynamic process. Continuously analyze, adapt, and innovate to stay ahead.
By implementing these strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the rest of the year with focus and purpose. Let’s make this back-to-school season a catalyst for growth and achievement!
What are your top priorities for this back-to-school season? Have you read “The One Thing”? What other books do you recommend? Share your thoughts in the comments below!