How’s the planning going, now that we’re somehow already into the second month of the year?
If you’re anything like me, January disappeared in a blur. It’s the same for many SMEs: you barely get the decorations down before you’re knee-deep in the usual flurry of “urgent” priorities. Before you know it, we’re halfway through Q1.
And if we’re honest, the wider backdrop isn’t making the job any easier. The circus of pointless, unhelpful, unproductive background noise continues around us. It’s not helpful. Yet despite all that, I’m more optimistic than I was this time last year.
That doesn’t mean the challenges have faded. The costs of running the business aren’t softening particularly and the pressure on day-to-day operations is still very real.
So how do we approach 2026 with some confidence – maybe even with a smile? For us, the answer is realistic optimism. Face the problems and deal with them. See them as challenges and look for the opportunities hidden inside these conditions.
And part of that is the planning work itself. We spend a huge amount of time setting our goals each quarter, which, let’s be honest, isn’t the most glamorous or exciting work. But it’s vital. This is where we decide what matters, what doesn’t, and which direction we’re asking everyone in the business to head in. Of course, that kind of thinking only works if our people are aligned around a purpose and shared goals. That’s the foundation. If you’ve got committed, capable people delivering strong service, your planning doesn’t need to predict every twist.
So yes, planning isn’t about having everything perfectly nailed. 2026 will have its bumps – but it will also have openings.
