5 strategies for a strong business start in 2023

Chances are that you’ve set your new year business resolutions already and they’re big, lofty and will take months, if not the entire year, to achieve. 

Research shows that to achieve our long-term goals, our behaviours need to align because it’s the small steps we consistently do that will culminate in success.

So as we start January, here are 5 ways to set strong processes and habits to not only get a flying business start to 2023 but to also help you sustain momentum.

And all 5 of these activities can be done in just over 2 hours after reading this blog!

So start reading and get ready to dive into a great business start.

1. Task management: get organised with deliverables and deadlines (0-45mins)

We’ve all had those sleepless nights when our brain is buzzing with worries, to-dos and deadlines.

A task management system can help organise what is due and when and give you a sense of control and confidence, that is needed during the business start. It can give you a bird’s eye view of your month, as well as zoom into the day-to-day.

If you have a team, the system can help manage workflow by having tasks move from one team member to the other once completed. This can help drive efficiency as well as make it clear who is accountable for what.

There are many systems but we have dialled it down to 3 for you to explore:

• Spend 5-10 minutes looking at Monday
• Spend 5-10 minutes looking at Notion
• Spend 5-10 minutes looking at Trello
• Commit to one right now and create your to-do list for this week

As with all systems, it takes a while to get used to it and optimise so allow yourself time to tinker and customise.

2. Gear up for tax season (45-1h15mins)

Financial year-end may be 6 months away but preparing now will save you time, pain and money.

If you are still using an Excel spreadsheet from the times when you started your business, it’s time to step it up with Xero for automatic bank feeds and statements. You can also share access with your accountant who will love you for not dumping them with a shoebox of paper receipts!

Don’t have an accountant? Our partner, AP Family Office, has extended a 50% discount on their Taxation Package to Lift Women’s community! This package includes preparation and lodgement of your annual tax return and preparation of annual financial statements. Instead of the full price of $2,400 plus GST, you can access this package at only $1,200 plus GST by contacting us at [email protected].

You should also be saving for tax. Set up a separate tax account via online banking. Then, each time you are paid, transfer 30% into this account.

Here is your tax season preparation checklist:

• Set up your accounting system.
  Two alternatives to Xero are Wave Accounting and Reckon.
• Open your separate bank account for tax
• Ask around for a good small business accountant

3. Website review: update for SEO and relevancy (1h15-1h45mins)

A current website is crucial for brand awareness and consideration. Google is not dead. With search volume growing 10-15% each year, Google won’t treat your website favourably if it hasn’t been updated in months – and neither will prospective customers.

Comb through your webpages and tick off at least 2 of the below suggested tasks:

• Update your ‘About’ page
• Add new client testimonials to your landing page
• Review the information on your FAQs page (or create one!)
• Upload a new blog article
• Update your SEO titles to include the key phrase you want to be found for at the start of your business, followed by ‘| Business Name’
  For example: Australia’s first female crowdfunding platform | Lift Women

4. Forward plan your calendar: key business moments and holidays (1h45m-2hrs)

What doesn’t get booked in gets overlooked and suddenly, you’re on the eve of the event and stressed to the hilt. Equally taxing can be getting to September and realising that you haven’t had any proper time away from work.

Open your calendar now and:

• Mark in any key business dates like product launches, course enrolments, shipping cut-offs and tax due dates
• Flip back 2-4 weeks before key business dates and schedule a reminder!
• Mark in any key personal dates like weddings, holidays and visits from loved ones
• Schedule in some OOO time for yourself: this could be for holidays, staycations or even dedicated time to work on not in your business

5. Write down your bigger, loftier goals and pin them to your fridge (2h-2h15mins)

Did you know that the act of writing your goals down starts an encoding process in your brain that means you have a better chance at remembering them? And that we process images 60,000 times faster than text?

So by writing your goals down on paper and having them somewhere where you can see them all the time, you could be anywhere from 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to successfully accomplish your goals.

Here is your goal-sharing checklist:

• Write your goals down on paper and stick them to your mirror, fridge or bedroom door
• BONUS: share your goals on social media. By sharing with others, you have a 78% chance of achieving your goals.

And reading time is done! It’s time to start your watch and go. 

We hope this very actionable blog gets you off to a positive business start for 2023. Please share how you find it by tagging @liftwomengroup on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.