We’re eight and half months into 2016. I know; I can’t believe it either. We’re delving into the fourth quarter and it’s probably the most important quarter of all. So let’s have some fun and look at the letters in FOUR to remind us what needs to happen.

Finalize

Organize

Understand

Rock On

You should know your numbers going into the fourth quarter. It’s that dreaded time of the year when tax time is looming. Make it a little more pleasurable by starting to get ready NOW.

• Review your profit and loss statement
• Were your estimated quarterly taxes paid? Other tax obligations taken care of?
• Look at insurance (both personal and business) and see if any changes need to made. I’m getting into tons of detail next month with all things insurance, so be sure to check out October’s newsletter for that.
• For your employees: Do you need to do any performance reviews? Will you be giving bonuses or raises? Make sure your revenue can cover everything.

End the year strong and get ready for 2017.

My son just secured his first job in very expensive New York City. YAY! Both of my kids out in the real world now!

I just worked with him to take a look at what he’s making, what expenses he has, what extra money he can use and what he wants to save.

It’s the same thing I do with my clients and the same thing you need to do in your business.

• Look at the next few months and determine if you will hit your revenue goals. If not, how can you hit them? Get organized and get plans in place. Maybe it’s a new client, a new program, a new offering.
• Start to collect information you will need for tax time. Mileage, expense receipts, 1099 information. It’s never too early to start the organization process so it’s not so overwhelming come December/January.

You aren’t just finishing one year. You are starting a new one! Get poised for growth by really understanding this year and figuring out where things went really right and where things went really wrong.

• Advertising and Marketing: What did you do and what will you do ongoing? Sponsorships? Speaking engagements? Make sure you have money to do it all.
• Did you follow up with everyone you met at networking events? Understand which ones worked for you and which didn’t. It’s better to belong to one or two groups that really make an impact than to just join many and never get any real return on your investment.
• Travel: Did you make plans far enough in advance to save money? If not, make sure you do that for 2017. I’m already planning a March trip now, so I don’t incur the impending Spring Break increase for flights.
• Take a good solid look at your year in review and analyze it.

• Start planning what you want to do in 2017 now and begin working toward the goals.
• Business never stops. You should always be planning ahead, rocking on!
• Put some revenue goals in place; figure out expenses in advance as much as you can (travel, ads, dues); plan for increases to staff/support team and start thinking about new marketing or branding efforts.

I’m here if you need anything at all! Just schedule some time with me and we can talk about the power of the fourth quarter.

Finalize, Organize, Understand and most importantly… ROCK ON!

Until next month!

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