Welcome to Q4

With this summer like weather it can be difficult to remember that we are now entering the final quarter of the year.

This is the time when business leaders assess whether they will make the budget by year-end and, if it’s going to be a close call, they will bear down for a final push to the end.

While that occupies those with operational responsibilities, the executive suite will be focused on planning. This year is already done for them…now it is on to getting things in order for 2022. Goals or targets will be determined, priorities for investment and potential big moves – things like expansion or mergers and acquisitions – are contemplated at this time of year as they work towards getting the new business plan in place.

If you were to compare this to a hockey team, the operational managers are reacting to their current situation – think of them as goaltenders devoting all their attention to their specific area of responsibility…like the goal crease.

Executives are more like the forward line – looking at plays and figuring out ways to score rather than playing defence.