Grab a notepad and use this quick audit to identify the single, most critical improvements you can make today throughout your organization’s marketing, operations, finance, and more.

1. Marketing: the referral check

• Audit question: Who are some of your most loyal customers, and how can you make it drastically easier for them to give you more referrals?
• Example idea: Create a one-click link on your thank-you page with a 10-percent-off coupon for the referrer and new customer.

2. Operations: the efficiency check

• Audit question: What is the single most time-consuming task you or your team repeat daily that could be automated or standardized? Studies suggest 30 percent of activities in 60 percent of jobs can be automated, making process mapping a crucial consideration.
• Example idea: Cut your client-onboarding task checklist in half, focusing on any redundant or ineffective work.

3. Finance: the cash flow check

• Audit question: Cash flow is the lifeblood of a small business. Aside from reducing costs, what is one way you can boost this figure within the next thirty days?
• Example idea: Shorten payment terms on all new invoices from Net 30 to Net 15, or start requiring a 50-percent upfront deposit for all new sign-ons.

4. Strategy: the mindset check

• Audit question: Rather than diffusing resources, focus your growth mindset on a single area. Where do you anticipate most of your company’s growth coming from in the next year, and how can you invest more in that one area right now?
• Example idea: If you expect a new product to be in higher demand by this time next year, spend two hours a week exclusively enhancing this offering based on customer feedback.

5. Staff: the culture check

• Audit question: When employees understand how their work contributes to strategic outcomes, engagement and productivity can soar. What is one thing you can do this week to ensure that each of your team members are motivated and aligned with the company’s goals?
• Example idea: Schedule a one-on-one meeting with each employee to share recent ROI data and how their work has directly influenced it. Note areas of accomplishment and improvement so you can guide them to achieve even more.

Take Action:
Share these action ideas with your team and discuss plans for rolling out each change in the coming week, month, and quarter.