A couple of years ago, in the thick of the recession, we ran a series of workshops to help businesses focus on the year ahead.

We’re not a training company so it wasn’t one of those quote from a text book type things.

Someone once referred to Gerron as the “doo-ologists”. We liked that; we’re more about sharing experience and getting our sleeves rolled up than quoting theory or second hand examples.

The workshops were titled “What could you do, what should you do, what will you do”. We asked people to look at various aspects of their businesses in the context of the economic situation at the time.

Well, things appear to have recovered a bit since then but what a great time to ask the same questions. The end of the calender year is nearly here.

Start by looking at the following areas and ask yourself: What are my products and services about? Who are my three main competitors and why? What does my typical customer look like and what contracts or transactions do I make with them? What is my strategy for the next year or so? Do I have a marketing plan? What is the mix and what channels do I use? How effective are they?

Take a look at the people in your business and ask what development plans you have for them.

How competitive are you? What actions have your competitors taken that have caught you out and what can you do to gain the advantage? What are you most afraid the competition may do in the future?

What resources will I need?

In one of our businesses we have just started to review which suppliers we buy from and what we buy from the. At the same time, we have been looking at potential alternatives. Not because we are unhappy with our existing suppliers but because it’s good practice now and again.

We have had a number of surprises, not least because when they find out that we are looking at things, most of them were keen to remain competitive. After all, our suppliers are important partners and we all want to do the best for each other.

Once you have asked yourself all of these questions you need to then ask yourself the most challenging question of the three:

“What will you do?”

Paul Norris is managing director of Gerron, a leading business support services company which works with many types of businesses to help them achieve their objectives. He can be contacted by emailing paul.norris@gerron.co.uk