Business Health Check

With Fiona Killackey from My Daily Business Coach

When was the last time you felt clear about the direction of your business? It may have been just a few months ago, or perhaps clarity for you is something you have always struggled with as a small biz owner. Business expert and author of the new book, Passion. Purpose. Profit, Fiona Killackey explores what to look for and where you can pivot.

“Clarity can be difficult to find, especially when you are so close to everything in your business. Yet having a clear and strong foundation like many long-term successful businesses are built on is key. From understanding your ideal audience through to analysing the best marketing channels for your offerings, clarity brings with it confidence in action,” says Fiona. “Right now, small business owners around the world are struggling to find a clear path forward. I have witnessed a full spectrum of emotions, from excitement at the unity and innovation coming forth, to those exhausted by the lack of end date and the collective grief that’s happening globally. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to be feeling or reacting right now.” One thing that can help is to look at the things we can control and to conduct a quick health check on your business. This doesn’t have to take long. Rather, this is a way to take stock of where you’re at right now, to bring to the surface ideas and innovations that may be bubbling away.

What does your business look like six months from now? Allowing yourself the space to really consider these questions can be the start of moving from a chaotic state of mind to one of clarity. Use these steps as a guide.

“As a small business owner, when you feel confident and in control, you share that positive mindset with everyone around you — family, friends and, of course, your clients and customers.”

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Where are YOU in your business? For many small business owners, their business is a reflection of their own passions and beliefs. Yet, often we lose touch with the reasons why we began it. The time we have right now offers us the opportunity to review our why.

Ask yourself the following: • Why did you start your business? • Does that initial passion come through in your marketing and culture today? • What frustrates you about your business? How might you remove or reduce this in future? • What do you value and are these values reflected in the way your business runs? • What’s your personality type (try this free quiz to find out) and what areas of strength might you focus on, what is a weakness you could outsource or upskill in? • Which parts of your personality may have held your business back in the past?

Take stock of: • Expenses like platform subscriptions, online memberships and apps can quickly add up. • Consider a new business bank card with a new card number. This will halt any direct debits and highlight which to cancel or continue. • Review your key marketing metrics (i.e. email subscribers, website traffic and conversions, leads, social media engagement). • Check for common themes.

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Reframe your thinking. It is so easy to get caught up in a fear-based mindset and for many businesses, this is not the end, but rather a time to pivot. Instead of focusing only on what’s “not” possible, look with curiosity at what is “now” possible. The simple mindset shift can make the world of difference.

Utilise free tools. One of the biggest assets we all have available to us is access to the free tools via the internet. Established social media platforms, online education portals, and business experts providing free help in the way of online courses, eBooks, webinars, video training and more.

Here’s a few to try: • Need to upskill on your analytics? Check out

Google’s Digital Garage • Want to map your time better or understand which skills are missing from your business? Check out my small biz freebies • Looking to learn more about SEO? Check out this free SEO course • Need to know how to feel more confident with video? Check outClothesline Content’s tips.

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