1 quarter to go - are you ready?

As we gear up to complete quarter 3, I'm reminded of how exciting quarter 4 always is. Are you ready for the last quarter of this financial year?

As I write this post, we're working from home in lockdown, my daughter has started school holidays 3 days early, we've managed to get a staff member safely home from Mt Isa, cancelled our family holiday to beautiful Tasmania, and being very thankful that whilst this week has presented some challenges, we are all safe and well. 

I hope you and your family are safe also.

Before we know it it will be the 1st of April, and' we'll be on our downhill run into the end of financial year. It's one of my favourite times of the year! I reckon it's like the last 20 minutes of a rugby league game. No matter where you are in the game - with 20 mins to go, you still have the power to change the game. Q4 can simply be a continuation of Q1, 2 and 3 or it can be its own stand alone quarter, redefining your position in the market.

It's a great time to reflect on your performance against the plans for this financial year (FY2021) and get the plans for the next financial year (FY2022) ready. 

Of the many business leaders I am privileged to work with, there are some similarities they all seem to adopt (or something similar) for Q4. These are:

• Treat the quarter as a stand alone and squeeze everything possible into it.
• Set the tone ready for FY2022 by not just adding 10% to the budget - establish a new plan with a new budget that doesn't just roll on from FY2021.
• Use it as a time to check in with all staff to ensure engagement is on track.
• Utilise challenges and rewards for exceptional performance.
• Use the long weekends at the start of the quarter to refresh and recharge.
• Review performance often.
• Rip the band aid off. If a change is required - make it happen now, so things are right ready for the start of the next financial year.

Thank you to the clients who have us on board to share in your growth journey. We hope this quarter delivers everything you're chasing and then some. 

Written by Roxanne Grey MBA FAMI CPM
Partner