FEATURED POST OF THE WEEK

Our long-form article of the week. You can always view the current and past featured posts on Empower’s blog.

2025: The year to get ahead

The calendar flipped, and 2024 is now in the rearview mirror. When welcoming a new year, are you, like many business owners we partner with, wondering if this is the year you'll get ahead of your operational challenges instead of just keeping up with them?

The new year reality check

You probably have this mental checklist, and much more, running through your head right now:

✅ Is our budget set?

✅ Did we lock down our strategy and goals?

✅ Do we have the right people in the right seats to accomplish everything?

✅ What are the big roadblocks that could slow us down?

✅ Did we solve our most pressing issues last year, or are things still lingering?

As you review this list, you might feel energized and ready to conquer 2025. On the other hand, you might also feel a little dizzy and overwhelmed. Both reactions are completely normal. However, if you’re more in the “dizzy and overwhelmed” camp, you might need to ask yourself a crucial question: Am I shouldering too much of the business, and does something need to give this year?

If you suspect things need to change, but your team is stretched thin, now is the time to explore working with an external partner to address those challenges before they jeopardize your 2025 goals — not in three, six, or nine months.

As a small business owner or startup founder, you may be holding on to too much, and issues aren’t being untangled fast enough. It can be easy to observe a break in a process and say you’ll get to it later because you need to focus on capturing a new customer. Or you can convince yourself that there’s too much going on to focus on the customer complaining about X,Y or Z for the fifth time this month. But, the more resolution to important issues get postponed, especially if you’re in growth mode, the more painful they will be to fix when you get to the point where it’s no longer a choice.

The hidden costs of delayed action

The impacts of inaction can compound quickly and I’ve seen it happen many times. I’ve observed business owners delay difficult management conversations for months, despite declining financial performance, or owners burning out from not proactively thinking about capacity and the resources required to execute projects or initiatives. Those are two examples, but I have many more.

The common refrain typically includes, “There’s no time to deal with that right now.”

However, if that becomes the persistent attitude toward real operational issues with your business, the costs can be higher than you expect (and, again, I’ve seen this happen).

Financial impact

• Revenue opportunities slip through the cracks.

• Productivity drains from inefficient processes.

• Increased team turnover affects the top and bottom line.

• Technical debt grows, requiring expensive investments later.

Customer impact

• Satisfaction declines because of a suboptimal customer experience.

• Churn increases.

• Referral opportunities diminish.

• Missed expansion opportunities to tap into new markets.

Team impact

• Burnout becomes the norm; not the exception.

• Morale suffers because of unaddressed issues.

• Misalignment grows, hindering execution.

Not a great picture, is it?

How we can support a better path forward

So, what can you do when you feel like you’re at max capacity, but you also know something’s got to give? Ask for help. Identify partners you can trust to come in, quickly assess the business and take action that will unblock you, save time and keep you on track.

External partners, like Empower, can bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that save time and amplify your resources.

To illuminate this point further, here are ten things we address for our partners:

1️⃣ Process Optimization: We audit current operations and implement improvements that make an immediate impact.

2️⃣ Strategic Alignment: We ensure daily operations support strategic priorities.

3️⃣ Bottleneck Elimination: We identify and remove the obstacles standing between you and growth.

4️⃣ Resource Optimization: We help deploy your people and tools more effectively.

5️⃣ Poorly integrated technology: Bring clarity to how technology can be used to solve specific business objectives and integrate more seamlessly across systems.

6️⃣ Quality Enhancement: We implement procedures that improve consistency and delivery.

7️⃣ Breaking down silos: We work through communication barriers and boost collaboration.

8️⃣ Strategic planning: We provide structure for sustainable business planning.

9️⃣ Risk management: We help build a more resilient business.

1️⃣0️⃣ Scalability: We create the foundation for sustainable growth.

Let’s take action together

It’s the start of the year. Kick it off right.

Don't kick the can down the road if any of the ten bottlenecks or growth hurdles threaten your 2025 goals. We can partner with you to effect the change you need.

Start with action today. Reply to this newsletter to set up time for us to chat. We can put the plan in place to make 2025 the year you put operational challenges in the rearview mirror.

P.S. - We’ll officially launch our new advisory offering, Empower Progress, into the wild in a couple of weeks. This is yet another way we’ll be supporting business owners who want to change their trajectory for the better. If you want the details sooner, get on my calendar now for a Discovery Call!

WEEKLY DOSE OF EMPOWERMENT

The weekly dose of Empowerment is meant to provide one weekly tip that’s both practical and approachable, to help drive incremental improvement to your day-to-day. We’re always open to your contributions as well. If you would like to submit a tip to be shared with the Empower community in a future newsletter, please reach out at [email protected] with the subject line “Weekly Dose of Empowerment Submission.”

Digital breaks to maintain focus

Let’s face it. It’s challenging to sustain attention and presence in our vastly digital world. We’re constantly pulled between tabs, screens, applications and devices. Meanwhile, we’re trying to deliver quality and impactful work, which takes intention, time and focus.

This week, I’m offering three practices for reducing digital overload and maintaining focus on the most important tasks or projects in front of you.

Single-tasking

Intentionally focus on one task at a time to improve productivity. To start simple, choose three things daily you can commit to single-tasking. This could include everything from eating dinner to building an important presentation. The important part is making sure you only focus on that single thing.

Digital boundaries

Designate specific times for checking emails, Slack messages, engaging on social media, etc. Also, try to set aside time during the week when you completely disconnect from your devices (this is MUCH easier said than done). There are settings on your phone and other applications that can help remove unnecessary digital distractions.

Get outside

Even if it’s just for a quick walk, getting into nature helps to regain concentration and remove distractions. Just make sure to leave the phone at home or in your pocket. Instead, take in the fresh air and observe your surroundings.

Next time you feel yourself being pulled in too many directions, most of which are coming from the alerts on your screens, try these out and see if they help.

JESSICA’S READ, OR LISTEN, PICK OF THE WEEK

A little something that got my gears turning this week and might pique your interest as well!

From Fast Company: The toughest challenges small businesses face in 2025. How to adapt and thrive.  

TL;DR

To start, this article isn’t doom and gloom. We all know running a small business is hard. I’m sharing this piece because it doesn’t just point out the problems. It also proposes solutions and tips to overcome the headwinds.

Here’s the quick version.

• Challenge #1: Inflation —> Tip #1: Focus on streamlining operations and renegotiating with suppliers to mitigate the impact of rising costs.

• Challenges #2: Labor shortages and retention —> Tip #2: Think about non-wage related benefits you can offer your team and put more emphasis on employee engagement.

• Challenge #3: Technology and cybersecurity —> Tip #3: Implement strong password policies, institute two-factor authentication, regularly update systems and get outsourced experts if you don’t have an IT team.

• Challenge #4: Shifting consumer behavior —> Tip #4: Leverage customer feedback to adapt quickly.

• Challenge #5: Sustainability and social responsibility —> Tip #5: Start small with practices that make the most sense for your business (e.g., find ways to reduce energy consumption).

• Challenge #6: Access to capital —> Tip #6: Get creative and look outside the traditional sources of funding.

Read the full article for all the details.

JUST FOR FUN

Really, this section is just for fun. Who knows what will be in store each week?

I’m not the type of person who sets New Year’s resolutions and then lets them go to cr*p in February. Ask my husband. The last time I truly committed to setting a New Year’s resolution I stuck with it to the end. The result: 52 new recipes cooked/baked and 12 new books read.

I want 2025 to be another one of those years. Sharing the resolution with you also puts it out to the universe and builds the pressure to execute 😉

With that said, here’s my resolution for 2025:

I want to find at least one opportunity each quarter to volunteer my time. Whether through mentorship, getting involved in my community, or supporting a cause I believe in, I want this to be a year of giving back.

What are you committed to this year?

LOOKING FOR MORE EMPOWERMENT?

You’ve worked hard to build your business. Let’s work together to make it last. We want to be your partner in the journey to develop the business that lives into your vision.

There are four primary ways Empower can partner with you to support getting your business to the next level. Click the image below to learn more about our core offerings.

If you’re ready to take the step, reach out to discuss how we can support your goals. 

If you were forwarded this newsletter and enjoyed it, I encourage you to subscribe and join the Empower community.