Welcome to the new and improved Crum Consulting newsletter! Each month we strive to provide you with a variety of helpful resources, tips, and practices to support your continued success, both personally and professionally. Because we work with a diverse demographic of clients, industries, and backgrounds, we aim to provide content equally as diverse. If you have any questions, or if you would like to learn more about any particular topic, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! If you are a new client, please click here to fill out a consultation form, and we will be in touch to schedule a session with you.

Article Spotlight

Reimagined Work Week

It can be incredibly frustrating as a business owner, to experience the moments when the input of your business (work orders, sales, inquiries, etc.) exceed the output of your business (the execution of the input, and, the catalyst for the revenue). Understanding the dynamics of productivity within a typical workday is crucial for business owners aiming to optimize their operations.

Sustainable Growth

Annual Planning

Annual business planning is an indispensable practice for any business owner, serving as a crucial compass guiding the enterprise's direction and growth. It is not just about setting goals, but about creating a strategic roadmap that aligns with the business's vision and values. This process allows business owners to take a step back, review the past year's performance, and identify opportunities for improvement and innovation. By systematically evaluating achievements and setbacks, businesses can make informed decisions that propel them toward their long-term objectives. In a dynamic market, an annual plan acts as a stabilizing force, ensuring that every step taken is purposeful and contributes to the larger picture.

1. Strategic Navigation: Plotting the Course Ahead

Annual business planning is akin to captaining a sleek yacht through uncharted waters. You’re not just adjusting sails; you’re orchestrating a symphony of strategy. Picture yourself on the bridge, surrounded by charts, compasses, and a dash of entrepreneurial moxie. Your crew—composed of spreadsheets, market insights, and a pinch of caffeine-induced brilliance—awaits your orders.

Why does this matter? Annual planning lets you recalibrate your business compass. You revisit your North Star—the vision that keeps you awake at night (in a good way)—and chart a course toward it. You analyze market trends, peer into the crystal ball of customer behavior, and decide whether to tack left (expansion) or right (cost optimization). Without this plan, you’re like a sailor without a compass—drifting aimlessly, hoping the seagulls know the way.

2. The Ledger’s Whisper: Conversations with Numbers

Imagine your financial statements as ancient scrolls, inked with the secrets of your business’s fate. Annual planning is when you unroll those scrolls, squint at the faded ink, and decipher their cryptic messages. Profit margins, cash flow, and balance sheets—they all speak in hushed tones. Your job? To translate their whispers into actionable decisions.

Annual planning isn’t just about bean-counting; it’s about sculpting reality. You allocate resources, decide which projects get the golden ticket, and ensure your ship stays seaworthy. By the end, your financial parrot (yes, we all have one) will nod approvingly, feathers ruffled in approval.

3. Rallying the Troops: The Battle Huddle

Annual planning isn’t a solo sonata; it’s a symphony for the whole orchestra. Picture your team as a quirky ensemble: the marketing maestro, the operations virtuoso, and the HR harmonizer. They gather in the war room (or the Zoom grid, if we’re being modern), eyes gleaming with purpose. Your role? To deliver a pep talk that would make Henry V proud.

You remind everyone why they signed up: the thrill of innovation, the joy of solving customer puzzles, and the occasional office potluck. And just like that, the team rallies—ready to storm the castle (or quarterly targets) with PowerPoint slides as their swords. Annual planning isn’t just about spreadsheets; it’s about infusing purpose into every pivot table and pivot turn.

Ultimately, the importance of annual business planning lies in its ability to foster a culture of intentionality and foresight. It encourages entrepreneurs to dream big while staying grounded in reality, balancing ambition with pragmatism. A well-crafted plan not only outlines the steps to achieve business goals but also instills confidence and motivation, knowing that there is a clear path forward. By embracing the practice of annual business planning, business owners can ensure that they are not just reacting to changes, but proactively shaping their future. It is this blend of vision and strategy that truly sets successful businesses apart, guiding them on the road less traveled with clarity, accountability, and unwavering support.

Highlights

We are thrilled to introduce Divergent Kind, the newest sister brand complementing Crum Consulting. This brand extends our commitment to personal development and life skill training, focusing on those we serve best beyond the business environment.

At Divergent Kind, we understand the pressing need for genuine advocacy and support crafted for the unique experiences of neurodiverse and minority communities. Our mission is deeply rooted in the belief that everyone deserves recognition, access to personalized coaching, and resources that cater to their specific challenges and strengths.

Embrace the journey with Divergent Kind and be a part of this transformative movement.

DARE TO DIVERGE

Beyond Business

Let’s delve into the fascinating world of rest beyond just sleep. You see, while catching those Z’s is crucial, there’s more to rejuvenation than simply hitting the pillow. Enter the 7 Types of Rest—these are like the Avengers of well-being, each with its own superpower. Which types of rest could you nurture for yourself today?

Physical Rest: Our bodies need a timeout from the hustle and bustle. This can be either passive (think: blissful slumber) or active (like restorative yoga or a soothing massage). Examples include napping, yoga, stretching, massage, or sleeping.

Mental Rest: Ever feel like your brain is doing a marathon? Mental rest is the answer! Examples include taking 10 minute breaks every 2 hours, notepads everywhere to help filter your thoughts, quiet time, breathwork, or meditate.

Social Rest: Yes, even extroverts need a timeout from social interactions. Social rest means choosing quality over quantity. Spend time with people who uplift you, and don’t hesitate to decline that Zoom call if you’re feeling drained. Examples include spending some alone time, visiting with people that you don't have to be "on" for, social media cleanse, or DND phone hours.

Creative Rest: Creativity isn’t just for artists; it’s essential for problem-solving and innovation. Creative rest means stepping away from tasks and allowing your mind to wander. Examples include hike, walk, meditate, sit outdoors, go for a drive, take a bath, go to an art museum, go to a bazaar or craft fair, volunteer, have a conversation, or people watch.

Emotional Rest: Our hearts need a breather too. Emotional rest involves acknowledging and processing feelings without judgment. Examples include therapy, life coach, journaling, watching a tear jerker movie, self-discovery activities, affirmations, or validations.

Spiritual Rest: This isn’t necessarily about religion; it’s about connecting with something greater than yourself. Examples include grounding exercises, gardening, working with your hands, meditating, volunteering, giving back, random acts of kindness, or active listening.

Sensory Rest: Our senses work overtime—constantly bombarded by noise, light, and stimuli. Sensory rest involves dialing down the sensory overload. Dim the lights, unplug from devices, or find a quiet corner. Examples include closing your eyes for 3 minutes once an hour, sitting outside, walking, breathwork, or sensory deprivation activities.

Learn More

Thank you for being a pivotal part of our journey here at Crum Consulting. We would be nothing without you, and your continued support. Please feel free to share our content with others to pay it forward. We relish in receiving feedback, so if you have any suggestions or if you'd like to share your opinion on any of the content we have provided here, please let us know! If you have any questions about anything we covered here, or if you'd like to explore potential opportunities with Crum Consulting, we are here for you! Reach out anytime!

"A plan uses 40% of its fuel at take-off." - Jen Sincero

Until we meet again, take care of yourself, and others. Thank you.

Newsletter; January 2025