State Of The Nation | Reflecting On 2025 & Setting Up For 2026

As we start the new year, I thought I’d share what I’ve seen over 15+ years working with owner-led SMB businesses, how that might apply to you in 2026, and how it might help you find your secret sauce!

I work across a lot of different industries with businesses at different stages, some <$1m, some well over >$20m+ turnover. Industries have included:

Construction 

Electrical 

Plumbing 

Civil 

Automotive 

Manufacturing 

Imports & Distribution 

Professional Services 

Health 

E-Commerce 

SaaS & Tech

Aviation

Retail 

Agri & Hort 

& a whole lot more

However, one thing remains clear:

The problems change. The fundamentals do not.

Good things & bad things happen in business, that’s just how it is, but sticking to the fundamentals will see your business head in the right direction.

Good and bad things happen in business, that’s just how it is, but sticking to the fundamentals will see your business head in the right direction.

What I noticed in 2025 with the folk I worked alongside.

Running a business can be hard yakka, and this was especially so in 2025, but one thing I’d encourage you to think about for the coming year is the discipline of GSD (getting shit done).

That ever relentless pursuit of what’s important/action, what will move the flywheel. It won’t be one thing, but lots of small pieces of activity that build momentum over time.

Revisit your business plan (the practical one that has key milestones, not something you prepared for the bank!). If you don't have one, jot some goals down or check out my clip here.

The folk I work with that have found the secret sauce are very disciplined and are consistently doing what is important.

Reflection, Planning, Commitment & Discipline

Take time to reflect on what's key to your business, set your 90-day plan, hold yourself to account, leverage off those around you, your accountant, business advisor, mates (try & avoid the guy next door that knows everything but does nothing) and keep GSD top-of-mind!

Sometimes there's stuff you don’t like doing and you can become distracted, but the folk I work with that have found the secret sauce are very disciplined and are consistently doing what is important.

Key Wins For Folk I Worked With In 2025:

Owners reducing pressure by putting the right people in key roles.

Businesses continuing to grow in tough conditions.

Hitting record trading and profitability even in a tough year.

Stronger, more engaged teams.

Better cash-flow management when things got tight.

New markets opened while others closed.

Difficult decisions made earlier and with confidence.

Owners stepping out of the weeds.

Businesses running well and still making time for family and rest.

New business arms launched and performing well.

Owners reduce pressure by putting the right people in key roles.

Success Is Intentional, Not Accidental

These outcomes don’t happen by accident. They come from the same core habits and fundamentals I see every time:

Clear priorities.

Simple, visible numbers.

Defined roles and accountability.

Repeatable systems.

Better decisions made earlier.

Leveraging support.

GSD.

Focus On The Year Ahead

Progress does not come from one big move. It comes from lots of small activities, done well, every day. Each small action turns the flywheel:

Be clear on what needs to be done.

Stay focused on sales activity.

Execute well.

Review, adjust.

Manage the financials.

Build the team.

Do these key things consistently and momentum follows. Want to know more? Then check out this PlanA programme ...

The PlanA Consulting Business Builder Programme

Most owners already know what they should be doing.   They just don’t have the structure to force it to happen.

The value of our Business Builder Programme is not to dump more information on you.  It’s about better decisions, made earlier, with support and accountability around execution.

That structure leads to:

Less stress and mental load.

Clear direction and priorities.

Better decisions made sooner.

Stronger execution.

A drive for better profitability over time.

If that sounds like what you want from 2026 then check out our Business Builder Programme HERE, flick Hutch an email on john@planaconsulting.co.nz, or call 021 748 142 today!