Settings Intentions To Finish Strong in 2026
Tending the Garden
Here we are again - the fourth quarter. For many business leaders, that means two things: finishing 2026 strong and planning intentionally for 2027.
I’ve been thinking a lot about planning this year while working in my garden.
Earlier this spring, I shared my experience of starting vegetables and herbs from seed for the very first time. While some of them thrived, others didn’t make it. At one point, seedlings were taking over my dining room table (which drove my husband a little crazy!). In the end, I bought some mature herb plants and adjusted my plan.
That willingness to try something new, even when it doesn't take root, is exactly what keeps a business alive and growing. You start with a vision. You plant. You nurture. You evaluate. And when something isn’t growing as you expected, you don’t keep watering it forever just because you planted it. You adjust.
Fourth-quarter planning requires that same discipline.
Look at What You Planted
At Slater Success, we encourage leaders to review their businesses every quarter. As I often say, “If you’re not looking at it, you’re not doing anything about it.”
Before setting 2027 goals, look carefully at 2026. Ask yourself:
What produced the strongest results?
Where did we invest time or money without getting the expected return?
Which clients and relationships should we continue nurturing?
Is our team aligned with where we’re going?
What needs to change before January?
And, of course, do the numbers. Revenue matters, but so do profitability, margins, cash flow, pipeline, recurring revenue, and client lifetime value. Your company’s numbers tell a story; make sure you understand it.
Decide What to Prune
Gardeners know that growth almost always requires pruning. Business leaders need to do the same.
What initiative, expense, system, responsibility or perhaps even client relationship, is consuming resources without supporting your larger vision?
Pruning creates room for healthier growth.
It also requires leadership. As I’ve stressed throughout 2026, CEOs cannot indefinitely delay decisions only they can make. Your team needs clarity about priorities, ownership, and direction.
Plant for More Than 2027
This year, I’ve been asking clients another question:
What will your garden look like in ten years?
Fourth-quarter planning shouldn’t stop at next year’s revenue target; it means looking beyond the short term. Consider the long-term work you’re doing: developing leadership, building your reputation, strengthening client relationships, creating recurring revenue, preparing for succession, and fostering a company that can succeed without everything depending on you.
Remember, you can't plant in Year Nine and expect to harvest in Year Ten; patience and foresight are key.
As we enter the final months of 2026, take time to reflect, prune, and plant.
Finish this year with intention and begin 2027 knowing exactly what you want to grow.