As we move into the latter half of 2024 and approach the 3rd quarter, Christmas is just around the corner. For many in the Southern Hemisphere, this period often signals gearing up for the traditional December and January shutdowns—our slowest time of the year. The last two quarters typically feel like a sprint to meet targets, push projects forward, and strengthen relationships.
Over the past month, I’ve been working with our ASR Consulting clients on both the Establishment to Scale-Up and Scale-Up to Exit programs. We’ve been evaluating their progress against quarterly operational milestones and their current year horizon plan, all while keeping an eye on their 3-year vision. When we onboard clients, we start by creating a 3-year forward-looking plan with clear annual and quarterly objectives. We then establish an accountability framework, reviewing progress with them regularly—both monthly and quarterly—taking corrective actions and adjusting as needed.
Reviewing Our Progress
As an example, let me share a recent experience from ASR Consulting. I have a quarterly review scheduled with my consulting coach next week, so I’ve been reflecting on our plan—practising what I preach. Our 3-year plan revolves around four key areas: Financials and Revenue Streams, Marketing offerings and Customers, Operations, and Lifestyle & Personal Development. These elements are all interconnected; financial success comes from content, lead generation, and sales closure, while operational efficiency ensures we can effectively serve our customers. The Lifestyle & Personal Development aspect might sound a bit flowery, but it’s about creating intellectual property through continuous learning and maintaining a growth mindset. It’s also about staying in good shape and maintaining healthy habits—think of it as the fuel for a car, the better the fuel, the better the performance.
Key Areas of Focus
So, how have we fared? Fairly well, a solid B+. Our revenues hit our target, and July has turned out to be our biggest revenue month to date. We launched our content generation initiatives as planned, significantly boosting awareness. I’ve also developed more intellectual property this quarter than expected, which has delayed some other milestones but in a good way (build now to build the future). Lead generation has been pushed to September, but that’s okay since we’ve met our client targets organically. On the lifestyle front, I’ve achieved my personal goals—lifting weights four mornings a week, eating clean, limiting alcohol, and waking up at 5 AM daily. However, I’m a bit behind on my reading and a course I purchased, but these will roll over to the next quarter, as more time was spent on IP creation. The relaunch of the ASR website and systematization of operations didn’t progress as planned and will need attention. Otherwise, they will limit our future plans to onboard clients in Australia and Asia. As a result, I’ve already taken proactive steps to outsource some of this.
Lessons Learned
For companies and entrepreneurs, the key takeaway is this: clearly articulate a vision of what success looks like with your partners, shareholders, and other stakeholders, and break it down into actionable steps with specific accountabilities. Having well-defined plans allows you to track progress and make necessary adjustments along the way. While plans are our best estimates of the future, regular reviews and adjustments for risks and opportunities can significantly accelerate strategic growth and profitability, regardless of your company’s size or stage. Too often, companies react impulsively to the latest market trends or threats. By maintaining strong discipline in planning and execution, you can create a significant competitive advantage, ensuring your business is proactive rather than reactive.
Want to learn more about our growth programs or discuss how we can help you achieve your business goals? Reach out today!
