As business owners, it’s easy to reach the end of the year and feel like the holidays have arrived out of nowhere. The calendar fills, deadlines loom, and before you know it, December becomes a blur of activity, last-minute sales preparations, and unfinished plans.
Christmas and the holiday period can create strong momentum, or it can derail your focus completely. The difference lies in preparation. A holiday season without a plan often leads to stress, missed opportunities, and reactive decisions. But with structure and foresight, you can serve your clients well, protect your time, and start the new year from a place of clarity.
In this episode, we explore how to prepare your business for the Christmas break and holiday season, including:
- How to set clear intentions for what you want from the holidays
- Why structure and systems create space for rest and performance
- A practical framework to help you plan, communicate, and lead through the season
Why Holiday Planning Matters
Too often, business owners treat the holiday period as an afterthought. The year has been full, clients are still coming, and the focus is simply to “get through”. But without planning, you risk losing momentum, confusing clients, and exhausting yourself or your team.
Preparing early is about leading with intention. It allows you to make clear decisions now so you can finish the year strong and enter the next one with energy and direction.
A Practical Framework for Holiday Readiness
Here’s the structured process I guide clients through when preparing their business for the holiday season.
1. Set Your Intentions
Start by deciding what you actually want from the season. Do you want to:
- Increase sales before year-end?
- Maintain steady operations?
- Wind down and reset for the new year?
- Take extended time off while the business continues running?
Clarity here shapes every decision that follows. When you know the outcome you’re aiming for, you can align your actions and expectations accordingly.
2. Review Key Dates and Commitments
Grab your calendar and map out what’s ahead. Identify:
- Client deadlines and delivery cut-offs
- Team availability and leave
- Industry slowdowns or peak periods
These details reveal your true capacity. Planning around them prevents last-minute surprises and gives everyone, including clients, confidence in what to expect.
3. Plan Offers and Communication Early
If you plan to run a holiday promotion, special offer, or seasonal campaign, start now. Ask:
- What do my clients genuinely need during this period?
- How can I offer value, not just discounts?
- What’s the simplest way to communicate it clearly?
Prepare your messaging, schedule content, and communicate timelines early. This gives your business a steady rhythm instead of a December scramble.
4. Manage Expectations and Strengthen Systems
The holiday season often changes availability. Communicate these boundaries early, when you’ll be available, how support will work, and what timelines apply.
Then look at your systems. Automate what you can, schedule ahead, and ensure your team (or contractors) know their responsibilities. Good systems create freedom and reduce stress.
5. Lead with Focus and Balance
Not everything needs to happen before the year ends. Focus on what drives the most impact: the activities that protect relationships, revenue, and reputation.
Equally important, plan for rest. Taking time to recharge isn’t indulgent; it’s strategic. You can’t lead effectively without energy and perspective.
Looking Ahead
The holiday period isn’t a finish line, but a launch pad. The way you manage the final weeks of the year determines how you begin the next one.
Ask yourself:
- What’s one thing I can do this week to prepare my business for the holidays?
- Where do I need clarity, structure, or support?
With a clear plan and steady systems, you can serve your clients well, support your team, and take time to rest, all while setting up a stronger start to the new year.
If you’d like support mapping your holiday strategy, explore the Business Wisdom Vault for tools and templates, or book a one-on-one session. Let’s make this your smoothest and most strategic season yet.
Highlights
00:20 Holiday Business Strategy
01:10 Setting Clear Intentions for the Holiday Season
01:36 Planning Key Dates and Deadlines
02:04 Creating Offers and Promotions
02:38 Managing Client Expectations
03:08 Systemising and Automating Tasks
03:34 Focusing on Revenue Optimisation
04:09 Ensuring Rest and Appreciation
04:45 Preparing for the New Year
05:07 Tracking and Refining Strategies
05:36 Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Resources
Business Wisdom Vault
https://academy.enevergroup.com.au/bundles/BusinessWisdomVault
All content for Business Wisdom Podcast is the property of Clive Enever and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
As business owners, it’s easy to reach the end of the year and feel like the holidays have arrived out of nowhere. The calendar fills, deadlines loom, and before you know it, December becomes a blur of activity, last-minute sales preparations, and unfinished plans.
Christmas and the holiday period can create strong momentum, or it can derail your focus completely. The difference lies in preparation. A holiday season without a plan often leads to stress, missed opportunities, and reactive decisions. But with structure and foresight, you can serve your clients well, protect your time, and start the new year from a place of clarity.
In this episode, we explore how to prepare your business for the Christmas break and holiday season, including:
- How to set clear intentions for what you want from the holidays
- Why structure and systems create space for rest and performance
- A practical framework to help you plan, communicate, and lead through the season
Why Holiday Planning Matters
Too often, business owners treat the holiday period as an afterthought. The year has been full, clients are still coming, and the focus is simply to “get through”. But without planning, you risk losing momentum, confusing clients, and exhausting yourself or your team.
Preparing early is about leading with intention. It allows you to make clear decisions now so you can finish the year strong and enter the next one with energy and direction.
A Practical Framework for Holiday Readiness
Here’s the structured process I guide clients through when preparing their business for the holiday season.
1. Set Your Intentions
Start by deciding what you actually want from the season. Do you want to:
- Increase sales before year-end?
- Maintain steady operations?
- Wind down and reset for the new year?
- Take extended time off while the business continues running?
Clarity here shapes every decision that follows. When you know the outcome you’re aiming for, you can align your actions and expectations accordingly.
2. Review Key Dates and Commitments
Grab your calendar and map out what’s ahead. Identify:
- Client deadlines and delivery cut-offs
- Team availability and leave
- Industry slowdowns or peak periods
These details reveal your true capacity. Planning around them prevents last-minute surprises and gives everyone, including clients, confidence in what to expect.
3. Plan Offers and Communication Early
If you plan to run a holiday promotion, special offer, or seasonal campaign, start now. Ask:
- What do my clients genuinely need during this period?
- How can I offer value, not just discounts?
- What’s the simplest way to communicate it clearly?
Prepare your messaging, schedule content, and communicate timelines early. This gives your business a steady rhythm instead of a December scramble.
4. Manage Expectations and Strengthen Systems
The holiday season often changes availability. Communicate these boundaries early, when you’ll be available, how support will work, and what timelines apply.
Then look at your systems. Automate what you can, schedule ahead, and ensure your team (or contractors) know their responsibilities. Good systems create freedom and reduce stress.
5. Lead with Focus and Balance
Not everything needs to happen before the year ends. Focus on what drives the most impact: the activities that protect relationships, revenue, and reputation.
Equally important, plan for rest. Taking time to recharge isn’t indulgent; it’s strategic. You can’t lead effectively without energy and perspective.
Looking Ahead
The holiday period isn’t a finish line, but a launch pad. The way you manage the final weeks of the year determines how you begin the next one.
Ask yourself:
- What’s one thing I can do this week to prepare my business for the holidays?
- Where do I need clarity, structure, or support?
With a clear plan and steady systems, you can serve your clients well, support your team, and take time to rest, all while setting up a stronger start to the new year.
If you’d like support mapping your holiday strategy, explore the Business Wisdom Vault for tools and templates, or book a one-on-one session. Let’s make this your smoothest and most strategic season yet.
Highlights
00:20 Holiday Business Strategy
01:10 Setting Clear Intentions for the Holiday Season
01:36 Planning Key Dates and Deadlines
02:04 Creating Offers and Promotions
02:38 Managing Client Expectations
03:08 Systemising and Automating Tasks
03:34 Focusing on Revenue Optimisation
04:09 Ensuring Rest and Appreciation
04:45 Preparing for the New Year
05:07 Tracking and Refining Strategies
05:36 Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Resources
Business Wisdom Vault
https://academy.enevergroup.com.au/bundles/BusinessWisdomVault
Reviewing and Refining Your Business Plan Mid-Year
Business Wisdom Podcast
7 minutes 2 seconds
3 months ago
Reviewing and Refining Your Business Plan Mid-Year
As business owners, it’s easy to write a plan at the start of the year, celebrate it for a week, and then let it gather dust. Months roll by, the business keeps moving, and you’re so busy handling the day-to-day that you forget to check whether your actions are still aligned with your goals.
Your business plan is a living document, not a one-time task. By the six-month mark, you have real data about what’s working and what’s not. A mid-year review gives you the clarity to course correct, simplify where needed, and finish the year with purpose.
In this episode, we explore how to review and refine your business plan mid-year, including:
- Why revisiting your plan keeps you aligned and on track
- How to use data and insight instead of guesswork
- A five-step framework to review, realign, and refocus for the second half of the year
Why a Mid-Year Review Matters
Too often, business owners let their plans drift. The business is still operating, clients are still coming, and problems are patched as they appear. But over time, you may find yourself off track, plateauing, or even feeling like you’re in someone else’s lane.
A mid-year review isn’t about criticism, it’s about clarity. It’s your opportunity to pause, reflect, and realign your actions with your goals so you can finish the year strong.
A Five-Step Framework for Your Mid-Year Review
Here’s the exact process I guide my clients through when reviewing their business plan halfway through the year.
1. Revisit Your Original Goals
What did you say you wanted to achieve this year? Are those goals still relevant and exciting?
Ask yourself:
- Do these goals still align with where I want my business to be by year’s end?
- Am I still in the business I truly want to be in, or have I drifted into something else?
Goals evolve as you achieve milestones. That’s natural, but if your reason for existing has shifted, it’s time for a deeper review.
2. Measure What Matters
Look at the metrics tied to your goals. Revenue, leads, audience growth, client acquisition, or team development, what does the data say?
- Are you on track, ahead, or behind?
Remember, data isn’t judgment. It’s insight that helps you make smarter decisions.
3. Identify the Gaps and Wins
Celebrate what’s gone well and acknowledge your progress. Momentum builds from recognition. Then look at what hasn’t gone to plan. Be honest, but kind. Ask:
- What slowed us down?
- Was it time, unclear strategy, or trying to do too much at once?
Knowing what’s not working is just as valuable as knowing what is.
4. Realign Your Focus
You’ve got six months left. Where should your time, money, and energy go?
Often this means simplifying. Maybe you don’t need more offers, just a better system to sell what you already have. Maybe your marketing needs tightening, or your sales process needs nurturing. Clarity creates opportunity.
5. Adjust to Deliver Outcomes
Finally, revisit your plan. Does something need to change? Update your goals, timelines, and strategies based on what you’ve learned. Your business plan should empower you, not restrict you.
Adjusting your plan doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re leading. Strong businesses evolve, and strong business owners evolve with them.
Your Next Step
Block out 90 minutes this week. Pull out your business plan and go through these five steps. Reflect, realign, and set fresh priorities for the second half of the year.
If you’d like help reviewing your plan and mapping a clear path forward, here’s how I can support you:
- Explore the Business Wisdom Vault, packed with tools and templates to help you refine your plan
- Book a free discovery call with me, and we’ll review your plan together so you can finish the year strong
Highlights
00:00 Introduction to Midyear Business Plan Review
00:55 The Importance of a Living Business Plan
02:36 Step-by-Step Midyear Review Process
02:43 Revisiting and Realigning Goals
03:38 Measuring What Matters
04:03 Identifying Gaps and Celebrating Wins
04:34 Reallocating Focus for the Next Six Months
05:07 Adjusting to Deliver Outcomes
06:04 Conclusion and Next Steps
Resources
Business Wisdom Vault https://academy.enevergroup.com.au/bundles/BusinessWisdomVault
Mid-Year Business Plan Review https://academy.enevergroup.com.au/courses/Mid-YearBusinessPlanReview
Business Wisdom Podcast
As business owners, it’s easy to reach the end of the year and feel like the holidays have arrived out of nowhere. The calendar fills, deadlines loom, and before you know it, December becomes a blur of activity, last-minute sales preparations, and unfinished plans.
Christmas and the holiday period can create strong momentum, or it can derail your focus completely. The difference lies in preparation. A holiday season without a plan often leads to stress, missed opportunities, and reactive decisions. But with structure and foresight, you can serve your clients well, protect your time, and start the new year from a place of clarity.
In this episode, we explore how to prepare your business for the Christmas break and holiday season, including:
- How to set clear intentions for what you want from the holidays
- Why structure and systems create space for rest and performance
- A practical framework to help you plan, communicate, and lead through the season
Why Holiday Planning Matters
Too often, business owners treat the holiday period as an afterthought. The year has been full, clients are still coming, and the focus is simply to “get through”. But without planning, you risk losing momentum, confusing clients, and exhausting yourself or your team.
Preparing early is about leading with intention. It allows you to make clear decisions now so you can finish the year strong and enter the next one with energy and direction.
A Practical Framework for Holiday Readiness
Here’s the structured process I guide clients through when preparing their business for the holiday season.
1. Set Your Intentions
Start by deciding what you actually want from the season. Do you want to:
- Increase sales before year-end?
- Maintain steady operations?
- Wind down and reset for the new year?
- Take extended time off while the business continues running?
Clarity here shapes every decision that follows. When you know the outcome you’re aiming for, you can align your actions and expectations accordingly.
2. Review Key Dates and Commitments
Grab your calendar and map out what’s ahead. Identify:
- Client deadlines and delivery cut-offs
- Team availability and leave
- Industry slowdowns or peak periods
These details reveal your true capacity. Planning around them prevents last-minute surprises and gives everyone, including clients, confidence in what to expect.
3. Plan Offers and Communication Early
If you plan to run a holiday promotion, special offer, or seasonal campaign, start now. Ask:
- What do my clients genuinely need during this period?
- How can I offer value, not just discounts?
- What’s the simplest way to communicate it clearly?
Prepare your messaging, schedule content, and communicate timelines early. This gives your business a steady rhythm instead of a December scramble.
4. Manage Expectations and Strengthen Systems
The holiday season often changes availability. Communicate these boundaries early, when you’ll be available, how support will work, and what timelines apply.
Then look at your systems. Automate what you can, schedule ahead, and ensure your team (or contractors) know their responsibilities. Good systems create freedom and reduce stress.
5. Lead with Focus and Balance
Not everything needs to happen before the year ends. Focus on what drives the most impact: the activities that protect relationships, revenue, and reputation.
Equally important, plan for rest. Taking time to recharge isn’t indulgent; it’s strategic. You can’t lead effectively without energy and perspective.
Looking Ahead
The holiday period isn’t a finish line, but a launch pad. The way you manage the final weeks of the year determines how you begin the next one.
Ask yourself:
- What’s one thing I can do this week to prepare my business for the holidays?
- Where do I need clarity, structure, or support?
With a clear plan and steady systems, you can serve your clients well, support your team, and take time to rest, all while setting up a stronger start to the new year.
If you’d like support mapping your holiday strategy, explore the Business Wisdom Vault for tools and templates, or book a one-on-one session. Let’s make this your smoothest and most strategic season yet.
Highlights
00:20 Holiday Business Strategy
01:10 Setting Clear Intentions for the Holiday Season
01:36 Planning Key Dates and Deadlines
02:04 Creating Offers and Promotions
02:38 Managing Client Expectations
03:08 Systemising and Automating Tasks
03:34 Focusing on Revenue Optimisation
04:09 Ensuring Rest and Appreciation
04:45 Preparing for the New Year
05:07 Tracking and Refining Strategies
05:36 Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Resources
Business Wisdom Vault
https://academy.enevergroup.com.au/bundles/BusinessWisdomVault
