THE TOP 10 BUSINESS TO-DO LIST FOR 2020

#1 INNOVATE
The world is changing faster than you think. Being distinctive and innovative is key to your survival and success. Create a top 10 list of innovation ideas you can implement across all functions of your business in 2020 and get it done. As Nike says, Just Do It!

#2 FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS
Focus is everything is life. Nothing can be achieved without focus. Pick the areas you want to go after and then put all your resources behind them. The real challenge will be – can you stay disciplined and avoid the distractions? Sometimes it is better to have the blinkers on!

#3 DRIVE ENTERPRISE VALUE
Customer is king, and your human capital is valuable, but what about the shareholder? Time to give them some tender loving care. Listed or unlisted – track your enterprise value monthly. More importantly, for every main strategic initiative, ask the question – how will it drive enterprise value?

#4 IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CASH
Cash still remains king. Sometimes it good to learn some lessons from the often criticized PE industry. Measure your business on cashflow. Run it like a shop. When your shutter goes down at night – how much cash did you bring in?

#5 DISCARD & ADD
Too many companies sink under the weight of too many products they like to sell. 20% of products generate 80% of revenue. The tail is always too long. Have the guts to discard products that don’t generate revenue and add selectively to drive your innovation agenda.

#6 ONLINE IS KING
Your channels are changing as you sleep. While your office and stores are shut, the customers are at play. Fastest finger first on their favorite online sites. Make being a best-seller on the #1 online channel your priority. Getting online right could make the difference on whether you live or die.

#7 THE NEED FOR SPEED
Patience is out of style. Customers want everything now. Clients wanted it yesterday. If you can’t take care of them, somebody else will. Online has made the world flat. Crash the turn-around-times of every key process in your organization. Go Formula 1!

#8 UNLOCK YOUR HUMAN CAPITAL
People are important, but not at the price of success. Structure right, have the right headcount and competency, but more importantly create a performance oriented organization. Reward the performers and clean up the tail every year in a humane way – yes, it is possible to do both together.

#9 GO COOLTECH, GO DIGITAL
The world has gone digital. Maybe this time the trees can really be saved. Automate to the maximum. Word’s like AI, Machine Learning, Robotic Process Automation are not Latin anymore. Simple applications using these technologies are available for all businesses. Use them. The robots have arrived!

#10 WORK & LIFE CAN BE BALANCED!
It’s true. Starts with your cell phone. Look at it every hour or two during the work day and once every evening at the most. Twice on the weekend. Sorry I can’t be more generous. And focus your free time on your family and friends – not Netflix. It is possible to work hard and play hard.

Have a great 2020, and see you on the other side of the calendar!

Regards