The end of the year is the perfect time to take stock - not just of how far your business has come, but where it’s heading next.

Because the truth is, most businesses don’t fail for lack of effort. They struggle because they don’t plan ahead - especially when it comes to finances.

If you want 2026 to be your most profitable year yet, now’s the time to start putting the building blocks in place.

1. Reflect Before You Forecast

Before you start projecting numbers, take a look at the year you’ve just had.

• What worked?

• What didn’t?

• Which clients or services were your most profitable?

• Where did costs creep up?

Your 2025 data tells the story of your business - use it. This isn’t just about analysing what happened, or what went wrong, but spotting the opportunities hiding in plain sight.

2. Set Financial Goals That Mean Something

“More money” isn’t a strategy.

Your financial goals need to connect to the life you want to live and the vision you have for your business.

Ask yourself:

• How much do I want to pay myself in 2026?

• What profit margin will make that possible?

• What needs to happen in my business to achieve it?

Once you know the numbers that matter, you can start building your financial plan around them.

3. Forecast Like a CEO

A forecast isn’t just a spreadsheet - it’s your roadmap for decision-making.

When you understand what’s coming in (and what’s going out), you can make smarter choices about hiring, investing, and growth.

At SFM, we help clients use simple financial dashboards to:

✅ Spot cash flow dips before they happen
✅ Test “what if” scenarios (like raising prices or hiring staff)
✅ Stay in control - even as their business grows

The result? Less firefighting, more confidence.

4. Make Profit a Priority (Not an Afterthought)

Profit doesn’t happen at the end of the year - it’s something you plan for.

That means building it into your pricing, protecting it in your spending, and reviewing it regularly.

Small tweaks - like reducing unnecessary subscriptions, renegotiating supplier terms, or rebalancing your service mix - can make a big difference.

5. Keep Reviewing

The best financial plans aren’t static. They evolve with your business.

Set a 90-day rhythm to review your numbers, update your forecast, and check your progress.

This keeps you focused, flexible, and ready to make strategic moves when opportunities arise.

The Year Ahead

If 2025 was about staying safe, or even - survival, let 2026 be about strategy.

With clear goals, smart forecasting, and a plan that puts profit at the heart of your business, you’ll enter the new year confident, not guessing.

And if you’d like support building your 2026 financial plan, let’s chat. Our Plan for Profit Programme is designed to help business owners like you feel confident, clear, and in control - so growth becomes intentional, not accidental.

To talk through it - book your free discovery call here.

And let’s look at making 2026 your most profitable year yet.