Moving Your Business Forward in the New Year

If the last two years have taught us anything in business and in life, it is that certainty is a façade, the world can turn on a dime, and that yesterday’s victories don’t guarantee tomorrow’s success.

But as we push forward into the New Year and have had time to digest the concept of what may be another challenging Q1 in terms of the virus, business leaders just aren’t the same as they were less than 24 months ago. They are more optimistic despite pandemic fatigue, the Great Resignation, alarming inflation, and massive supply chain issues. They just are.

It is remarkable, really, how far the business sector has collectively come in such a short amount of time.

But every business owner’s experience didn’t take the same trajectory over these last couple of COVID years. Some businesses pivoted, others doubled down on the value of their current goods or services. Every story is different, yet every company’s success is a cause for celebration throughout the business community.

THE POWER OF A TAB BOARD

At The Alternative Board (TAB) we have witnessed some pretty remarkable business owners doing some pretty remarkable things over the last two years.

So many small business owners feel like they go it alone; running a business can be a very isolating experience even in the best of circumstances. But almost across the board, our TAB Members have told us they relied heavily on the collective brain trust of their TAB Board throughout the pandemic challenges. Their TAB Board let them know that they weren’t alone. Their TAB Board helped propel them forward to be better leaders and run stronger businesses. Their TAB Board helped to methodically plot their course to the other side of a global crisis. Their TAB Board was there for them, and it made all the difference in the world.

HOW DOES A TAB BOARD WORK?

TAB Boards are made up of a select group of up to 10 local business owners who run non-competing businesses, along with a TAB Board facilitator. At full membership, most Boards have more than 200 years of collective executive experience.

Each TAB Board Member is committed to their own personal and leadership development, as well as the growth and success of their organization. A TAB Board acts as an invaluable support system and a catalyst for progress in many facets of each member’s business. TAB Board Members support and elevate each other with operational insight and real-world experience.

TAB Members present to their board current issues they are facing and opportunities they are considering. Board Members then follow up with clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the scenarios.

Then the brainstorming begins.

The last step in the process is setting goals to ensure progress surrounding the issue. One of the most valuable benefits of sitting on a TAB Board is accountability. Each time a member brings an issue before their Board, they then commit to specific actions and progress within the next 30 days. During the next board meeting, the board discusses how each member completed their commitment and what the outcome was.

That is how progress is made and business leadership evolves.

WHAT’S NEXT

With both uncertainty and promise heading into 2022, business owners will continue doing what they have been doing for the last two years. Forging ahead. Pivoting when they must. And supporting their business community. And TAB will be there for them every step of the way.