Mid-Year Review, Evaluations
Business-Building Ideas From Terry Brock
[Note: Treat yourself to the (enhanced!) audio version of this message. Â Click on the "Play" button, below, make sure your speakers are on and enjoy the sound. Â You can also download the audio as an MP3 to listen on your computer or favorite MP3 player. Â You're welcome. - Terry]
So, how’s that 2010 thing working out for you now? I love this time of year when we are exactly ½ the way through the year. Conveniently the rebellious signers of the Declaration of Independence in the United States had the good foresight to make July 4th the day for the celebration. It makes for a good time to step back, think and contemplate how things have gone thus far and where we’re going in the half-done year.
I’m a big believer in New Year’s resolutions. This gives us a chance to look back over what has happened and look forward to what the New Year is to bring. That is good for you individually as well as in your business.
Yet, too many people merely make vague, nice-sounding resolutions at the end of a year and don’t check along the way monitoring progress. A Mid-Year Review is an excellent way to pause, reflect on what has happned thus far (good and bad) and to make new resolutions, where appropriate for July –December.
So how is that 2010 thing working out for you? Are you making progress on the goals that are important for you? What has worked well for you thus far? What needs to be improved for the remaining six months?
Wherever you are, I encourage you to take this coming weekend and find some time for quiet reflection and candid review. I know I’m going to do it. Already have done some (end of day, 30 June, regular tradition now). Planning to do more.
In an economy like this one, it is very important to check what really works. Theory is nice but it only matters as it applies to practical, real-world applications. Use this weekend and this time of year to apply the theories you have to some real-world challenges. Then see what stands.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Terry and Happy 4th weekend.
Always a good reminder and I am pleased to say that it is already on my plans for the weekend. I review quarterly as well. It sure helps when you have accountability – either with a Master Mind group or partner to help you keep on track.
Similar to Jim, health issues early in the year caused me (actually forced me to) to take time to listen and really get focused and definitely adjust my first of the year goals by the 1st quarter.
Enjoy a great weekend.
You’re right, Ron. We need to set up measuring metrics so that we can track. Just saying, “I want to have a good year” is way too squishy and ethereal. Setting goals on those things we can control like, “I’ll produce 2 podcasts a week on sales and marketing,” or “I’ll send out 5 letters a day to new prospects” can be measured. Each business has to develop its own relevant metrics and then measure them. A good Mid-Year Review helps to make that happen. It makes it actionable. It makes it profitable. Very good comments from you, Ron. thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing that, Jim. First we all wish you health and healing. Second, because of the technology today we can communicate and get a lot of business done via tools like Webinars, teleconferences, Skype video presentations and more. Knowing how to leverage this technology has already helped many to achieve what they could not do otherwise. I’m now using Skype video for presentations and it is great for me in time-saving and great for clients in saving of travel expenses.
Yes, let’s talk as I help many people on this and would love to help you. Hope you have a great day today.
You’re right, Joni! I think of the song by the Carpenters sung about relationships but it applies here, “We’ve only just begun to live.” This is a new beginning and we get a chance to achieve what we want between now and 31 December. Thanx for sharing.
Terry, thanks for bring is up. Some of us make resolutions at the “New Year” and when we can’t keep those pledges going so we just give up and push all aside. We have to realize just because it may not have worked then, it could work now. Pick up where you left off and restart your pledge for what ever. It’s only half done, not “we only have half a year left”
Just a thought.
Joni
Terry,
A very good reminder to review. We have been doing a lot of “readjusting” as my health (back, general health etc) is keeping me from doing many of the things I use to do especially in face to face networking. The health situation is also keeping me from do anything at all some days but we keep “plugging” along. We continue to get lost in the social media marketing. The time to keep up with it all as well as keeping our current clients serviced the way we believe they need to
be serviced, (that we have been able to service mostly from our office)along with the inability to put in the necessary time into the business has made it difficult to get our message out (family relationships first), add new clients and solidify our income.
We have been doing monthly webinars but our marketing is poor and we are not sure how to effectivley spread the word. The time it takes to put together an effectivel webinar is eating into the precious little productive time I have. We are looking to bing some “management learning programs” into our mix in the hope of providing a need service and generate an income more from home (Have you heard of “Master-Mind- Group out of Seattle, WA?).
So, Ann Marie and I are thinking that maybe we need to speak with you about our whole situation and come up with a plan that may work for us. We respect what you have done and maybe, after we talk, it is time for us to get on some type of “marketing” program with you that can be adjusted for our unique health situation.
Think about it and let me know – we could set up a Skype meeting to discuss.
thanks Jim Kwaiser
Terry,
You are correct in that we do need to take the time and reflect, but the key is to plan in a way you can gauge your progress, what went right, what needs to be changed, and to refocus. Plan to check progress while enjoying some down time this weekend.