A simple quarterly review for small businesses

A one-hour quarterly review for small business owners: what worked, what to stop, and the three things to focus on next.

Most small businesses skip reviews because they sound like corporate overhead. A good quarterly review takes one hour and fits on one page.

Step 1: what actually happened

Write down revenue, your best client, your worst week and the one thing that surprised you. Facts first, opinions later.

Step 2: what to stop

List everything you added this quarter — tools, services, meetings. Mark what didn't earn its place. Every addition has a maintenance cost.

Step 3: three focus points

Choose no more than three priorities for the next quarter. If everything is a priority, nothing is.

Step 4: set the next review date

Put it on the calendar now. The review only works if it repeats.

If you'd like a second pair of eyes on your review, I work with small business owners in Charlotte, NC and online. The principles are in the Clarity Manifesto.

Have an idea, project, or situation that needs a clearer direction?