The Smart Start to Year-End: Put Your Plans in Motion
By September, you’ve already done the heavy lifting: checked in on your goals mid-year, and taken a hard look at profitability this summer. Now it’s time to put that insight to work.
A “smart start” to year-end is less about reviewing where you’ve been, and more about taking decisive steps to finish strong and set up 2026 on solid footing.
Lock In Your Q4 Priorities
With only one quarter left, focus is everything. Decide now where you’ll concentrate your energy:
Securing contracts or projects that will carry revenue into the new year.
Building a cash buffer for year-end and seasonal expenses.
Streamlining operations so you and your team can take time off without stress.
When you set these priorities in September, you won’t be scrambling in December.
Get Organized Before Year-End Rush
The busiest months of the year are ahead, but you can smooth them out by preparing early. Make sure your bookkeeping is current, invoices are moving, and vendor commitments are clear. Having this foundation means you’ll walk into Q4 with clarity—and give your tax preparer better data when the time comes.
Refine Your Pricing Strategy for 2026
One of the most valuable moves you can make this fall is to review your pricing model. Costs, client needs, and the value you deliver don’t stand still—and neither should your rates. If you anticipate raising prices in 2026:
Finalize your new structure now.
Map out how you’ll communicate the change to clients in Q4.
Align your messaging around the value clients receive, not just the numbers.
By planning this in advance, you’ll avoid last-minute decisions and give your clients time to budget for the change.
Position Your Business for the New Year
Think beyond December. What investments—whether in technology, staff, or systems—will give you a stronger start in 2026? Identifying and scheduling those now will make your year-end decisions more strategic, not rushed.
The Bottom Line
July and August were about reflection and analysis. September is about momentum. By locking in your Q4 priorities, smoothing out operations, and planning your pricing strategy, you’ll not only finish 2025 with control—you’ll set the stage for a more profitable and less stressful 2026.
Strategic Guidance for the Path Ahead
Having an experienced fractional advisor on your side can help you put these plans into action, without the commitment and overhead costs of a full-time employee. Reach out to the Breakaway team to discuss your vision for the future, and see how we can work together to get you there. We can’t wait to meet you!
