Ready or not, the past year just came to an abrupt close. For some, the new year simply serves as an opportunity to change out the calendar hung on the wall; I like to think of the new year as more of an opportunity to makes changes and improvements in one’s life – and shouldn’t such a focus also extend to professional life?

As business owners and managers, we know the greatest strengths and concealed weaknesses of our own organization. We know what we should be doing differently, and what practices have become outdated. In nearly every business, there are opportunities to improve – to become more efficient, more productive, more profitable, or otherwise. So how do we breathe new life into an established organization? The first step is to acknowledge areas that deserve improvement, and the following step (and arguably the most critical) is to take appropriate action.