Philip Kotler identified these four as being key attributes in management: analysis, planning, implementation, and control.
Having had a brilliant break (family over from the UK, my sister's wedding, and a family holiday in Queenstown) the brain is now quite refreshed and excited about the idea of ripping into work on Monday.
One of the things we do every Christmas is sit down and spend an evening looking at our goals for the coming years. This is not business planning, its 'us' planning. But inevitably it has an effect on the business: well, I've got to keep Mrs H in the manner to which she has become accustomed to living! It affects the business in another way: it provides the crucial 'why' and 'so what' answers. Of course money is a motivator - but I also love what I do, and I think it shows in my enthusiasm and optimism for the industry. That established, I then move into business planning. Hence the headline above.
The analysis says that this should be an exciting year. Report back from the working group, development of the HER market, a new company or two entering the market, inevitably some further rationalisations, more work with advisers, and much, much, more.
Planning has us growing in the consulting area: major projects with three or four big clients, and minor projects with no more than a dozen. Picking our work to match our skills and driving quality of delivery up. As we ran pretty hard in the last few months I've resolved to focus on eliminating the 'five minutes late' that has crept into the overstuffed schedule too often. Some of the projects are taking shape already. One we can share with you is the FPIA research which will enhance our understanding of the structures advisers will work within in the future and their business valuation issues.
On the Retirement Lifestyle Solutions side we're delighted to be working with a small group of salespeople who like us see the HER market as a fascinating one, and we are sharing the journey discovering how best to market this product.
Our foray into wellness consulting last-year was rewarded with more work in the area in December, so we are pleased to be building skills there.
The training business that also acquired new work late in the year will be another dimension of development.
Implementation has already begun. Last week we moved office. Although we are still in Birkenhead we no longer share our premises and the facilities we have now include better secretarial support for Soohun, Karmen, and I.
Control - how well we do. Thats another matter, the year wil inevitably bring its surprises, but we're cheerfully flexible and generally cope well. We especially like interesting surprises from clients, so if you come across anything new or different that you want to get a second opinion on our door is always open.