EF News
By Jon Dudgeon, Co-founder at Blu Sky
A new year is just beginning, and that means strategy should be moving to the top of your priority list. Year-end can be hectic, especially for founders juggling multiple priorities. But carving out time for planning now is worth every minute. Jon Dudgeon, co-founder at Blu Sky, explains how, with a clear strategy in place, you can enter 2026 with the focus, energy and confidence needed to make it your best year yet.
At Blu Sky, strategy is one of the things we do best. We know that business leaders across the North East aren’t short on ambition – if anything, it’s time that’s holding them back. That’s why we make strategy simple and actionable, so leaders can face the challenges and opportunities ahead with clarity. If you haven’t started thinking about 2026 yet, take this as your sign to start.
Reflect before you reset
You can’t plan your next steps without knowing where you’re coming from. Reflection isn’t just about what happened, it’s about how you think. A growth mindset is key: treating challenges as lessons and progressmas a team effort. Look back on what 2025 taught you. What worked? What didn’t? Where did you face friction? Bring your team into the conversation to get the full picture. Their view might differ from your own, so listen and learn why. Celebrate progress, address pain points and reconnect with your company values before the new year begins.
Set goals that drive the right outcomes
Once you’ve reflected, decide where you’re heading. Too many plans fail because they try to do everything. The best strategies focus on a few goals that genuinely move things forward. Choose clear, measurable priorities with defined accountability. Use Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track progress and keep everyone aligned. This is also the time to look beyond short-term growth. Consider the environmental, social or governance issues most relevant to your business, such as carbon reduction, employee wellbeing, or supplier ethics. Strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals don’t replace financial ones; they strengthen them by building trust and long-term resilience.
Build your future culture
Every growth plan is also a people plan. The culture you create now shapes how your business grows later. Ask what kind of workplace you want to lead a year from now. Do your values feel visible every day? Are people empowered to make decisions and learn from mistakes? Recruitment plays a huge part. As you grow, think about the skills and behaviours your business will need in 2026 and beyond. Hire for potential and alignment with your values, not just experience. A strong culture attracts great people and keeps them.
Put your numbers to work
Your numbers are the foundation of everything you do.
Cash flow shows when pressure will arrive. Sales forecasts ground your targets. Budgets set spending limits. Profit and loss tests whether your model delivers value. A balance sheet check keeps you financially strong. Use a few leading indicators to track progress and plan ahead, so you already know your next move if conditions change. Automate where possible, but keep people in charge of decisions that matter. blusky.co.uk
Build your wall of support
Running a business can be isolating, but you don’t have to do it alone. Surround yourself with specialists who bring expertise when you need it. A virtual Chief Financial Officer or finance function can offer senior-level insight into forecasting and funding without the cost of a full-time hire.
The firms that scale best take finance seriously early and make decisions with confidence.
Make it practical and consistent
A good plan is only as strong as its rhythm. Work in quarters, review monthly and keep short weekly check-ins. Build decision rules that help you stay focused and say no quickly.
Set key 2026 dates in your diary and check in regularly with your adviser to stay ahead of cash and compliance deadlines. These small habits keep the bigger goals on track.
Turning preparation into progress
If you want 2026 to be your best year yet, the work starts now. Strong years don’t happen by luck or momentum in January; they’re built through the thinking, planning and decisions made before the new year begins. At Blu Sky, we’re taking the same approach: fewer goals, clearer metrics and braver decisions. It’s about being deliberate rather than busy, and putting structure behind ambition.
If 2026 is the year you want to feel in control, confident and ahead of the curve, don't delay. The groundwork you lay now will decide how far you go this year.
