As 2024 comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your company’s performance and start positioning your business for success in 2025. The business landscape is evolving rapidly, and as a CEO, your leadership and foresight will determine whether your organization thrives or stalls in the coming year.
To get ahead, here are 10 crucial questions you should be asking yourself:
1. Do we have the right Vision for the company?
If your Vision is to be the “premier” or “#1” XYZ, you need to challenge yourself and your First Team to reframe what winning means. Think of it this way, if Netflix would have said we want to be the #1 DVD company in America would they still be in business? Thank goodness the former CEO, Reed Hastings, dreamt 20 years out and put this vision in place “To have global entertainment distribution company that provides a unique channel for film producers and studios.” Remember, this is one of the six things that only you, the CEO, can do!
2. Do we have Vision Clarity around the Vision, Strategic Priorities and Core Values?
Many mid-market organizations struggle with moving to slow and inconsistent execution issues. Do you and your Senior Leadership Team / First Team know what the company’s Vision, Strategic Priories and Core Values are for the organization without having to look it up? Are you living and communicating every day? Gallup did a study that showed that 78% of employees say that their leaders DO NOT have a clear direction for the organization. I find that often, but what I also find is that companies have a strong vision, strategic priorities and core values, but no one knows what they are, because they aren’t lived by the CEO and First Team.
3. Is your First Team focused on the right things?
The “First Team” is your Senior Leadership Team. Do you have the right Teamwork Composition, Team Practice and Operating Rhythm for the First Team? Are you and your First Team solving the biggest challenges for the organization? Is their first priority to you and to this team? If not, devote time here. This is one of the six things that only you, the CEO, can do and it’s vital to you’re the company’s growth, success, and your sanity.
4. What are your top strategic priorities for 2028? Are they still on target?
It’s time to look at the 3 year plan you put together, review and make changes based on new insight. Use that as your tool to put your 2025 Priorities together. Based on your 2028/2025 plan and priorities, determine if you have the right resources, talent, and infrastructure to achieve them. What gaps do you need to address before the new year begins?
5. Is your current company culture driving productivity and innovation?
Culture plays a critical role in how your company adapts to change. Reflect on how your organization’s culture has either fostered or hindered innovation and agility in 2024. What needs to evolve for next year?
6. What’s the state of your Talent?
As you prepare for 2025, assess whether you have the right talent in place to support your growth strategy. For mid-market companies, what got you where you are today, might not get you to the next level. Is easy to outgrow some of your talent. Are your key roles filled with top performers? Do you have a succession plan in place for your role?
7. What changes in customer behavior have you seen over the past year?
Understanding your customers is vital. Especially at a Decision Maker level. Have there been shifts in customer behavior or needs in 2024 that will affect your strategy for next year? How will you adapt to continue delivering value?
8. How has your competitive landscape evolved, and how have you responded?
Your competitors have likely made moves this year—some bold, some subtle. What have they done that has impacted your market positioning? What changes can you make in 2025 to stay ahead?
9. What are the operational inefficiencies that need addressing?
Are there areas in your business where processes have become slow, outdated, or overly complex? This is very common in mid-market companies as you grow and scale. Identifying these inefficiencies now allows you to streamline operations and increase efficiency next year.
10. Is your organizational structure supporting your strategy?
As your company grows, does your organizational design still support your strategic goals? Consider whether changes in your structure could improve communication, decision-making, and overall execution in 2025. Remember, in the mid-market, what got you where you are today, might not be the right structure for where you’re headed
These questions are designed to push you toward a deeper evaluation of your current position and help you prepare for what’s coming in 2025. As a CEO, your team looks to you to lead the organization into the future with clarity and confidence. The answers you uncover now will be the foundation for success in the year ahead.
Ready to align your leadership team for 2025? Let’s work together to ensure you’re positioned for rapid, predictable growth.