How Fit Is Your Organisational Structure for Future Growth?

As we kick off 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your business’s readiness for the year ahead. For many SME leaders, business growth, scalability, and long-term success are priorities—but how often do we stop to assess whether our organisational structure is fit to support that growth?

Why Plan for the Organisation You Will Need, Not Just the One You Have

Business growth changes everything. Your customer base evolves, your operations expand, and your team’s capabilities are tested. Yet, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remain stuck with a structure designed for yesterday’s challenges rather than tomorrow’s opportunities.

To set yourself up for success, it’s essential to map out not only your current structure but also the one you’ll need in 12 months. Visualising where your business will be after achieving this year’s targets can clarify what’s required to support and sustain that growth.

Mapping Out Your Current and Future Organisational Structure

Start by asking yourself these key questions:

1. What does my current organisation structure look like?
2. What does my ideal structure look like 12 months from now?

Sharpening the Focus on Skills, Gaps, and Development

When you compare your current structure to your future one, you’ll gain clarity on several critical areas:

1. Internal Training and Team Development: Who on your current team could step into expanded roles with the right support? This is an opportunity to sharpen focus on internal training, upskilling, and mentoring programmes to bridge knowledge gaps.
2. Identifying Recruitment and Skills Gaps: Which roles or skills are missing entirely? These gaps could indicate the need for new hires, outsourced support, or targeted recruitment strategies.
3. Assessing Potential and Performance: Are there team members who might not have a seat on the bus in 12 months unless they grow? Having these candid conversations early can give people the chance to develop or transition gracefully.
4. Strategic Hires for Business Growth: What positions will you need to hire for now to ensure they’re ready to deliver value in 12 months? Planning ahead avoids reactive recruitment, which often leads to rushed or suboptimal hires.

Building for the Future, Starting Today

Reviewing your organisational structure isn’t just an exercise in planning—it’s about setting the tone for proactive leadership. By taking the time to map out where your business is going and aligning your team with that vision, you’ll create clarity, focus, and momentum.

Remember: the right structure doesn’t just support growth; it drives it.

Take time this month to reflect on where your business is headed and what’s needed to get there. The effort you put into this now will pay dividends as you and your team step confidently into 2025.

?? Want to review your organisational structure and ensure your business is fit for the future? Let’s connect! Together, we can map out the right seats for your growth journey, identify skills gaps, and ensure your SME is scalable and sustainable in the years to come.

Crackdown on Late Payments ????

In September 2024, the government announced a major support package to address late payments to small businesses. This initiative includes enforcing existing regulations requiring large companies to report their payment performance and introducing new measures to hold larger businesses accountable for their payment practices. With 52% of SMEs experiencing late payments in 2022, this crackdown aims to unlock growth for 5.5 million small firms by improving cash flow.

Here is a link to the GOV article. .Gov press release on Cracking Down on Late Payments

I totally missed this, I have to say! But I really do like changing the accounting / reporting rules for large / corporates on their payment profiles, as my experience, when running our SME engineering business, was that many large global organisations seriously took advantage of their size and did not care one jot about whether their sizable payment owed to us landed late or not, they didn't care about how we had to scramble and fine payroll at the end of the month, pay VAT bills and try to pay our valued suppliers on time. So place the spotlight on these organisations, and hold the directors to account.

January Plate Spinning Tips for Busy Bosses

As we usher in 2025, it's an opportune moment for SME leaders to adopt time-saving strategies that enhance productivity. Here are some practical tips to consider:

1. Embrace AI Tools for Routine Tasks

Artificial intelligence has become increasingly accessible, offering solutions to automate repetitive tasks. Tools like 1minAI can assist in drafting emails, summarising documents, and generating content, freeing up valuable time for strategic activities.

New York Post

I am using ChatGPT daily now. It knows me, my business and most importantly my audience SO well now! I have created GPT's to assist me in various aspects of my business. Yes, you need to be careful, and smart prompting is required. But believe me, it seriously has removed the donkey work out of my daily routine, enabling me to add more value and work with more clients.

2. Implement the 'Scary Hour' Technique

Popularised on TikTok, the 'Scary Hour' involves dedicating a specific hour each day or week to tackle tasks you've been procrastinating on, such as responding to emails or making challenging phone calls. This focused approach can significantly reduce stress and improve efficiency. I haven't used this - yet! But I liked the title and thought I'd share it - you never know who it may help!

Real Simple

3. Leverage Time-Tracking Applications

Utilising time-tracking apps can help monitor how your time is spent, identify productivity bottlenecks, and streamline workflows. Applications like RescueTime provide insights into your daily activities, enabling you to make informed adjustments. I'm a huge fan of time-blocking to make sure my time is wisely spent and balanced. These tools are good to measure how well I stick to things.

Small Business Coach

4. Schedule Regular Reflection Periods

Allocating time to step back from daily tasks allows you to assess your business's direction and long-term goals. Regular reflection fosters creative thinking and strategic planning, ensuring your business remains aligned with its objectives. Now this is something I do a lot of. But actually timeblocking into my week, means it is far more strategic and useful now.

Pasadena EDC

5. Prioritise Self-Care and Rest

Overworking can lead to burnout, diminishing productivity. Incorporate regular breaks, exercise, and downtime into your schedule to maintain mental clarity and long-term efficiency. This is obvious - but how many of us do NOT do this?? ????♀?As Busy Bosses we have got to remain in great shape - physically and mentally. Too many people rely upon on, for us to end up burnt out, ill, exhausted. Prioritise - is the key word!!

By integrating some of these tips, you can optimise your time management and set a more productive tone for the year ahead. It's great role modelling too!

Well that is a wrap!

Let me know what topics you would like to learn more about in 2025. I have a huge list, but I want to write and share about what interests you most, not me!!

?? Mel