A new year offers the perfect opportunity to reset and refocus your approach to business planning. Whether you are aiming for growth, greater stability or preparing for future transitions, the start of the year is a natural point to establish the priorities that will guide your next phase of success.
At Matthews Steer, we work closely with businesses to create clarity around their structure and financial position while ensuring their plans support long-term sustainability.
Here are five key areas to focus on as you step into the year ahead.
1. Review your financial performance
Effective planning starts with understanding the story behind your numbers. When you take the time to review your financial reports, forecasts, cost structures and the key drivers of your performance, you gain a clearer sense of what’s supporting your growth and what needs attention.
With this clarity, you can make decisions with confidence, spot genuine opportunities and guide the business in a deliberate, purposeful way rather than being pushed by short-term pressures.
2. Refresh your business strategy
A clear strategy gives your business direction for the year ahead. It’s about taking the time to revisit your KPIs and long-term goals to map out a practical plan for achieving them.
Programs such as our Catalyst Program are designed to help business owners step back from the day-to-day. Assess where the business currently sits and create a structured path forward. With the right strategic planning in place, your time and resources can be invested in the outcomes that matter most to you.
3. Strengthen cash flow
Cash flow sits at the centre of sustainable business growth. When you strengthen your forecasting, budgeting and financial reporting, you give yourself a clearer view of how the business is tracking and where pressure points may appear. This understanding helps you stay in control and avoid unnecessary financial risk.
With steady cash flow behind you, you can invest in new opportunities with confidence and maintain the stability your business needs to follow through on its plans for the year.
4. Improve operational efficiency
Operational efficiency plays a big role in how well a business can grow and perform over time. Taking a close look at your structure, internal processes and the level of your team’s capability can reveal simple opportunities to improve the way work flows through the business and remove the bottlenecks that slow progress.
Working with experienced advisors gives you another layer of insight. It helps you understand what’s working and which systems and structures need attention to better support the next stage of your business planning.
5. Prioritise succession and exit planning
Succession and exit planning are often pushed aside until a transition is close. However, giving them attention early can make a significant difference later on. When these plans sit within your broader strategy, you protect your hard-won value, prepare for unexpected change and strengthen long-term continuity.
Whether you’re thinking about future transitions or exploring sale opportunities, having a clear plan provides peace of mind.
How Matthews Steer Can Support Your Business Planning
The most effective business planning happens when financial insight and strategic guidance work together. At Matthews Steer, our accountants and advisors collaborate as one team to help business owners strengthen performance. Whether you’re refining strategy, strengthening financial management, planning succession or setting up long-term growth, we support you at every stage.
Our Partners Adrian Misiano, Damian James, Charith Mandadige and Nidal Mazloum lead a dedicated team of accountants and advisors who take the time to understand your goals, review your business structure, clarify your financial position and build a plan that supports sustainable success. With decades of combined experience, they help you make informed decisions with business planning that is aligned with your long-term vision.
Plan Your Next Steps with Confidence
Ready to strengthen next year’s business planning? Our Melbourne business advisors and accountants will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Contact Matthews Steer on (03) 9325 6300 or get in touch online to make an appointment.