Hello Reader,
It’s Christmas Eve. For many, today is about family, food, and a well-earned break. But if you’re anything like me, there’s a part of your mind still ticking - overthinking about the projects that didn’t get finished, the opportunities that slipped by, and the plans you meant to start but never quite found the time for.
That’s normal. The end of the year always brings a mix of celebration and reflection. Before you switch off completely, I want to offer a simple idea for the new year. It doesn’t require a grand plan or a long list of resolutions. It’s called a business sprint, and it’s how you can turn the next 90 days into real progress, without adding to your stress.
A sprint is a 90-day commitment to a handful of outcomes that matter. You choose one to three objectives. You decide how you will measure progress. You check your capacity before you promise anything. Then you work the plan in short, steady steps.
Here’s how I recommend you approach Quarter 1:
First, pick the outcomes that will make the quarter worthwhile. For some firms, that means launching a service. For others, it’s cash flow discipline—invoicing on time, deposits at the start, fewer days outstanding. Some will focus on onboarding a set number of right-fit clients. Be specific; vague goals do not stick.
Next, turn each outcome into clear measures. If you want five new clients, set a weekly target for qualified conversations and track conversion from proposal to win. If cash flow is the goal, measure invoice timing and days sales outstanding. These numbers tell you early if you are drifting or on track.
Then, check capacity honestly. Do you have the people and systems to deliver? If your answer is “almost”, narrow the scope. Automate a blocker. Move lower-value work out of the quarter. A smaller sprint that lands is better than an ambitious sprint that stalls.
Once you commit, keep a simple rhythm. Use a one-page plan that sits where your team can see it. Update a short scorecard each week. Meet briefly to confirm what was done and what’s next. Hold a mid-sprint review at the halfway point. Adjust early rather than explain late.
This approach is not theory. It is how small and medium businesses make progress when the world does not slow down for them. The sprint creates focus and reduces noise. It gives owners a way to lead with intent and it gives teams a way to win the week.
If you would like practical templates and coaching to set up your Q1 sprint, you can join the waitlist for my Business Planning Course. I will share the one-page plan, the weekly scorecard, and the review checklist we use with clients.
Join the waitlist for my Business Planning Course
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful Christmas and a restful break. I hope you find time to recharge and return in the new year with fresh energy and focus.
Warm regards,
Paul Sweeney
Chartered Accountant & Business Advisor
