I think we can all agree that 2020 didn’t exactly go to plan and we’ve all done a lot of ‘pivoting’ during this ‘unprecedented time’. How many times have you heard those phrases?!

As a business owner, you might be wondering why you even planned the year at all, given how much everything has changed. In reality though, this happens in our strategies every single year (and if it doesn’t, it should) so we can adapt to changing markets, industries and consumer sentiment. 2020 was just a much bigger change than anyone could have seen coming, and it will have a flow on effect moving forward.

So, how can you prepare for the coming year to set your business up for success in a changed and still changing marketplace?

Invest in your strategy

The number one thing you can do to set yourself up for success is to invest time and effort into your communication and marketing strategy. It should be your go-to document for every decision and will become the backbone of how, why, when and who you communicate with.

Here at Think Communications, we help clients align their strategies to the overarching business objectives and help identify the best approach to effectively communicate with their audiences. We can work with your in-house team to develop a strategy for them to implement, or we can provide the full service with our support for the entire year.

Get clear on your goals

Reflect on the year that was and take the time to really understand what your business goals are in the coming months. Ask yourself:

  • What worked last year?
  • What didn’t?
  • What KPIs did I achieve – should I set higher targets?
  • What didn’t I achieve and why?
  • Are these KPIs still important and relevant to my business goals?

Setting resolutions and goals for your business as we move into a new year creates a space for clear thinking about what you want to and can achieve in 2020. A consultancy can help you with this process if you’re not sure where to start.

Take changing consumer behaviour into account

No one has been untouched by the events of this year, and it has changed consumer behaviour in lasting ways. From being more risk-averse to the soar in the use of online shopping and BNPL services, these changes are impacting how consumers interact with brands and what they value when they look for a product or service. Depending on your industry, this may call for a change in how you operate or how you target prospects.

If you need support in 2021 or beyond, we’d love to hear from you.

Give us a call on 5554 5141 for an obligation-free chat about your needs or email us at info@thinkcommunications.com.au.