Surprises in business are rarely good. And while I will concede that there are events outside of a fleet’s control that can occur, I also think that proper planning can eliminate a lot of surprises.
One of the key operating philosophies at Lily is Know & Plan. I firmly believe that proper planning cannot take place without first having a thorough understanding of every aspect of your business. That includes knowing all about your customers, your employees’ capabilities, your businesses strengths and weaknesses, and knowing the in- and-outs of your operation.
Armed with that information you can devise a better plan to address a weakness or avert a potential problem. The end of the year is a good time to plan for the new year, but make sure you are doing so based on the realities of your business today.
It’s a good idea to involve department heads and other key personnel in the analysis of how your business is doing, where they see a need for improvement and any potential threats they see on the horizon. It’s not a bad idea to do the oft touted SWOT — Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, Threats — analysis. Doing so should give you a good baseline for planning.
As you look ahead to 2026, take all the knowledge you have amassed about your operation and devise a plan that will allow you to address your weaknesses and turn them into strengths.
Ask yourself if you have the right people in the right positions and if those people have the training and skills they need to succeed in their job. If not, develop a training program for each employee who needs to upgrade their skills.
Look at your procedures. Are they as efficient as they should be? Are there changes you can make to streamline procedures and improve efficiency?
This is also a good time to meet with your customers to learn about what their plans are for the New Year and to assess any changes you may need to make in your operation so that you are prepared to meet their needs and deliver a quality experience.
Being well-informed and having a plan should put you on the path to success. Having in-depth knowledge of every aspect of your operation and a proven plan are a good way to enter the New Year and should allow you to react quickly to any unexpected surprises.
