It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

As we draw close to Christmas, I thought it appropriate to ponder some RTO business lessons from a movie favourite of this festive season.

I have chosen a movie I watch at least once in December: The Santa Clause. I usually also watch at least one of the sequels as well.

When I was growing up, I loved the show Home Improvement which had Tim Allen, the American comedian, as the lead character. So when he brought out the movie, The Santa Clause, I was excited to see how he portrayed the true spirit of Christmas and whether he kept the mystery alive for children.

And of course he did because he takes the role of Santa Clause very seriously.

If you haven't seen this movie, please watch it this Christmas because it is not only very funny with a great cast, but Tim Allen is superb in the role and helps reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas including:

• Magic
• Mystery
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Believing

Believing is Seeing but this can be difficult do sometimes if you're walking around in a fog – unclear, overwhelmed, confused and frustrated.

Now I'm not sure if you developed your 2021 Business Plan at the beginning of this year when we continued to be thrown COVID curveballs, and depending on your circumstances, this plan may have possible become somewhat irrelevant as the year went on.

But for the sake of this blog, I'm moving straight past that elephant in the room.

If you did develop your Annual Business Plan, then congratulations.  But there's still one more thing to do as now's the time to reflect and review how did you and what needs to be tweaked for next year.

If you didn't, please don't beat yourself up. What's done is done. Now is the opportunity to start again and get ready to springboard into a successful 2022.

To help you reflect on your RTO's business year, not only should you examine your financial targets and any other key performance indicators (KPIs) you've developed; but here's some other reflections for you and your team to consider – both as individuals and for the RTO business itself.

9 Things To Include In Your Review of 2021

• Top 10 Highlights of 2021
• Top 3 Achievements of 2021
• 3 good things you did for others in 2021
• 3 things you're grateful for in 2021
• 3 things you learnt in 2021
• 3 things you want to do more of in 2022
• 3 things you want to do less of in 2022
• 3 habits you're going to create or change in 2022
• 3 things you want to learn in 2022

Now I know you're in countdown mode and powering through to get everything done before the office closes for the Christmas/New Year break.

But I encourage you to take some time out and use December (or at the latest January) as an opportunity to chat with your team and reflect on the Good, Bad and the Ugly of what's happened this year.

This will enable you to learn from what didn't work, build on what did, and then document your 2022 Annual Business Plan– all on one page.

This will mean next year starts with the clarity, direction and purpose everyone needs so they are ready to re-ignite their passion for training and springboard into a successful 2022.

And here's my final thought:

Please embrace Judy's quote because unless you believe in your RTO along with its vision, purpose and connection with your student community; then how can anyone follow you on your business journey as you DARE to Lead?

P.S. If you'd like some help to write your 2022 Business Plan, then my How to Write Your 2022 Business Plan... on 1 Page Webinar might be exactly what you need.

 

It's on tomorrow (2 December) from 10am – 11.30am so click the link to register.

 

And if you can't make it live, register anyway to get the recording and all the templates; and with no expiry date, you can complete it at a time which works best for you.

As this is my last blog for this year, I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 

Please stay safe.
Tamara