The last few years have been tough for us all, but 2024 doesn’t have to be the same. This year could be the one in which you grow your business and turn it into the organisation you’ve always dreamed of.
That sounds good but if being successful in business was easy, everyone would open one. So, what can you do to improve your organisation in 2024.
Look back at 2023 critically and honestly
The first step will be to look back on 2023 and identify the main successes and failures of your business. Specifically, look at the profit you made or the debt you accrued.
You should also be looking at your financial statements and cashflow forecasts. But how far you go is up to you. For example, you might be able to gather data on how quickly clients respond to you or how many hours your employees worked per day.
You can then use this data – operational or financial – to judge your performance in 2023. Not happy? You now potentially have a series of goals for 2024 that you can build a plan around.
You don’t need us to tell you how to make a business plan – you’ve almost certainly made one already. But if you think you’ll struggle making one for the next stage of your business, remember that accountants (like us!) can help you work out the details of your strategic plan.
The power of technology
Technology: it’s definitely become a business buzzword. But can it help your business?
We would say a definitive ‘yes’. Consider our favourite kind of technology, for instance, which is cloud accounting software. With this, you can set up a number of automations to make a whole range of jobs quicker and easier for you, such as payroll, bookkeeping, inventory management, financial reporting, taxes, and so much more.
Meanwhile, we have AI, which has become extremely good at its ‘job’ in recent years. You can use it for things like:
- Chatbots.
- Predictive analytics.
- Personalised marketing.
- Fraud detection.
- Data security.
- Writing and editing.
Which task do you think you could use AI to help you with?
Cloud accounting
Imagine having the pulse of your business’s financial health at your fingertips, anywhere, anytime. Cloud accounting facilitates this by offering a suite of tools that automate and streamline processes like payroll, bookkeeping, and inventory management, thereby liberating you from the tedium of manual tasks.
This leap towards automation not only optimises operational efficiency but also provides you with actionable insights, enabling strategic decision-making that’s rooted in the latest data.
Moreover, this technology integrates seamlessly with other cutting-edge innovations, including AI, to offer predictive analytics, enhance data security, and foster personalized customer interactions. The synergy between cloud accounting and AI can redefine the landscape of business management, making it more responsive, intuitive, and tailored to your unique needs.
As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of 2024, embracing cloud accounting isn’t just a strategic move — it’s a declaration of your commitment to growth, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Look for an accountant
A partnership you could really benefit from is one with an accountant. If you already have one, that’s great. If not, ask yourself whether you’ll be able to keep doing your own accounting, taxes, books, payroll, etc, on top of all your strategic and financial planning? If not, an accountant will be able to take on some of the burden so you can place your focus where it needs to be.
Furthermore, an accountant will be able to help you with your financial management and planning by, for instance, creating reports and management accounts for you, which you can use to make the right business decisions. Need some extra help? Many accountants will be able to provide specialist advice to help you grow your business.
At Wells Associates, we enjoy working with the most ambitious of business owners. If that sounds like you, get in touch with us today to grow your business into the one you want.