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Busy season can feel like a storm – some are just thundershowers while others can resemble hurricanes. Regardless, you have seen it through the end for another year. Congratulations! Now, take a moment to reflect on the season past, just as you would assess the aftermath of any storm.
Count your blessings.
Take a few minutes to think about all that has gone well: the firm you have created and contribute to; the satisfaction of a job well done; the clients that have benefited from your advice and talent; and the people that made it all happen.
* Reflect on your client meetings and pull out the notes you took during your client discussions. Find new ways to provide those clients with value.
* Think about the incredible people you have in your firm – the heroic efforts, dedication and client care that they have exhibited over the last few months. If you forgot to thank them, do it now.
Assess the Damage.
Most storms cause some damage or highlight weaknesses in our infrastructure. It may be a good time for a postmortem of this last season to learn from the experience and pull together some action plans and priorities that will assist you for next year. Some things to consider include:
* Challenging issues faced
* Work flow
* Staffing improvements
* Training issues
* Culling clients
Prepare for the future.
Along with the short term action plan that you will develop from the activities described above, it is also time to think long-term to prevent future disasters.
* Take time to assess the performance of all your people - identify those "shining stars" as well as those who may need additional training or guidance.
* Revisit your succession and strategic plans – readdress key action steps and see if changes need to be made. Think about new markets or new services you should investigate.
Now that the storm has passed, take some time to set your future direction, because we often are too busy and distracted during the storm to clearly see the way.
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