Whatever business you’re in, the last three years probably felt turbulent. But, just as the Monty Python song reminds us to “always look on the bright side of life,” there is some good news: there’s arguably never been a better time to plan for success. Now, we’ve got the tools to navigate unprecedented events. We’ve learnt a thing or two about how to keep a business afloat amidst a pandemic, and we’re ready for the fresh energy a new year will bring. So, whether your goal is consistency, refining your business model, or increased growth, we’ve got a few simple tools to take the learnings from the pandemic and propel your business to success in 2023.
1. Make S.M.A.R.T-er goals
Goal setting is a pivotal part of success and the obvious first place to start. When getting clear with what you want from your career or business next year, make sure your goals are S.M.A.R.T – specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. Vague ambitions are too easy to fall off the wagon, and unrealistic ones are less attainable – for obvious reasons. Once you’ve got a clear picture of where you are and where you want to go, you’ve got the foundations in place for a successful year.'
2. Enhance your skillset
A recent study predicts that by 2025, half of the global workforce will need to reskill. With digitalisation, robotisation and automation, our world is changing more dramatically than ever – and our competencies need to keep up. 2023 is bound to see an increase in artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality and more digitally-based processes and operations. If you want to smash those goals we talked about above, you’ll need to get out of the comfortable waters of what you already know, invest in upgrading technologies, and upskill your tech expertise.
3. Protect your business
Rapid technological changes have plenty of benefits for businesses. But they also have one huge potential downfall – security. This year, it’s predicted that cybercriminals will cause damage equating to nearly $6 trillion, with one cyber-attack happening every 39 seconds. So that you don’t fall victim to these events ensure you have policies and procedures in place that protect your business. A little investing now could really pay off.
4. Maximise your budget
As tech speeds us ahead, what was working this year might be outdated by next year – even if you’re still paying for it. A big part of planning for success is reviewing your outgoings, assessing where you’re spending unnecessarily (such as outdated cloud-based services), and pivoting to ensure you’re making the most of your budget.
5. Boost sustainability
With an increasing number of Australians vouching not to support or work for businesses with unsustainable practices, prioritising sustainability needs to be at the forefront of your business model next year (and beyond). You can implement small changes to make a huge difference, such as offering a coffee machine in the office to avoid workers getting takeaway cups, incentivising walking to work instead of driving, or encouraging meat-free lunches. And, of course, there’s the bigger picture – your environmental, social and governance (ESG) processes need to be centre stage of business planning – how can you ensure your business is working towards the most sustainable model and reducing negative impacts on the environment?
6. Prioritise customer experience
A business without quality customer service is doomed for failure from the outset. And in 2023, that’s only going to be more apparent – with more people valuing positive customer experience than ever before. In 2022, 81% of consumers agreed that a positive experience could make or break their loyalty. Make it a priority to invest in clever customer analytics tools to capture vital data and insights – it’ll boost connection with your audience and is bound to positively impact your bottom line.
7. Invest in wellbeing
In the modern world, we’re all hyper-aware of the importance of wellbeing. And in the workplace, prioritising wellbeing is even more crucial – burnt-out workers aren’t going to help your business flourish. But businesses that invest in their employee’s wellbeing benefit from better performance, lower costs, and higher levels of creativity, with more positive workplace relationships and reports of better work/life balance. If you’re stuck on where to begin, take inspiration from our team at First National Real Estate – we’ve partnered with EQ Minds to present a workplace wellbeing series – three sessions with leading industry experts to find clarity in life, promote productivity in the workplace, and use sleep as a tool for wellness. When planning for next year’s success, don’t forget to pencil in wellness workshops like these. For more inspiration, check out our blog on how to support your staff’s wellbeing next year.
8. Invest in talent
With an estimated 20% of workers planning to quit their jobs before the year is through, The Great Resignation is not a thing of the past just yet. As a result, attracting and securing talent will be a big focus for 2023. The pandemic closed the doors on old-fashioned 9-5 models and welcomed a new way of working. Now, workers expect more flexible arrangements, autonomy over their schedule and a healthy work/life balance. To secure the best talent, your business needs to adapt to workers’ expectations. If being your own boss whilst also being supported by an experienced network sounds appealing, reach out to our team today about becoming a member of the First National Real Estate team.
Put in the groundwork now and reap the rewards of a successful 2023
The modern world is changing more rapidly than ever before. And as we prepare to welcome the new year, we also welcome a very different business landscape than in the past – with new technology, a focus on wellbeing, and a demand for flexible working models. So, get a head start on planning now to ensure 2023 is your most successful year yet!
DISCLAIMER:
The above advice is of a general nature only and intended as a broad guide. The advice should not be regarded as medical, legal, financial, or real estate advice. You should make your own inquiries and obtain independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any legal, financial, or real estate decisions. Click here for full Terms of Use.