5 End-of-Year Checks to Future-Proof Your Business

Use these five fixes in December and stop your business breaking down in January.

In the frenetic race to the end of the year, finding time to think ahead may feel impossible. But smart Kiwi business owners can set themselves up for a stronger 2026 by addressing next year’s gaps, inefficiencies, and blind spots before they happen. Here are five strategic checks that’ll help you hit the ground running in January, instead of playing catch-up.

1. Stop Paying for Forgotten Software Subscriptions (And Sign Up for AI You Actually Need)

Many businesses are bleeding money on SaaS (Software as a Service) subscriptions they don’t need. December is a great time to audit every paid platform, tool, and app and, if your team doesn’t use it regularly, cancel it. Then look at what’s left and ask where automation could replace repetitive tasks. 

Are staff still double-handling timesheets, chasing approvals, or manually updating spreadsheets? These inefficiencies don’t just waste time, they drain morale. The Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey found 76 per cent of high-growth SMEs who invested in technology had improved profitability. The companies winning in 2026 will be those who streamline their tech stack now, not the ones adding more tabs to already crowded browsers.

2. Stop Your Best Staff From Quitting In January

Summer holidays are a popular time for reflection. It’s also when workers start questioning their career choices. If you haven’t checked your retention plan lately, January could bring some expensive surprises. MBIE data puts New Zealand’s average employee turnover at more than 30 per cent – two to three times the ideal rate. But the bill for recruiting and training staff can be avoided with a quick end-of-year welfare check.

Review salaries against current market rates and examine why people departed during the year. Ask yourself which departments or people carried the heaviest load this year. You may have a structural problem, not a workload spike, so address those issues before they cost you someone irreplaceable. Finally, clarify summer leave and hybrid work policies now so January doesn’t start with conflict or resentment. The labour market may be weak, but recruitment challenges remain real.

3. Set Goals That Survive Past Waitangi Day

Most business goals die in February because they weren’t realistic in the first place. ‘Grow revenue’ is a wish, not a goal. The difference between businesses that hit targets and those that don’t often comes down to specificity. 

Use December to set goals that are measurable, time-based, and clearly owned by someone on your team. Then make sure  staff understand how their work connects to the bigger picture. If your people don’t know what success looks like, they’re just ticking boxes. Build quarterly check-ins into your calendar now; most goals fail because no one looks at them after the first month. While New Zealand’s economic growth remains weak, goals need to be grounded in reality and reviewed frequently enough to stay relevant.

4. Boring Stuff Can Protect You from a Nasty New Year Surprise

Compliance isn’t exciting, but getting it wrong is dramatic and expensive. Start with employment agreements and policies: have they been updated to reflect legislative changes? Minimum wage, leave entitlements and trial period rules all shift regularly, and outdated agreements leave you exposed. Review health and safety practices, especially if you onboard summer casuals or contractors.

Being busy won’t fly as an excuse with WorkSafe. Finally, check your holiday and leave liability. Accrued leave can be a hidden cash flow issue in Q1. Knowing what you’re carrying into 2026 lets you plan properly rather than scrambling when everyone books their summer breaks at once.

5. Get An Edge Over The Opposition

The final check forces you to look outside your office walls and reflect on your market position and relevance. Don’t guess what your customers want in 2026, ask them. Survey  your key accounts to discover why they value working with you and what challenges they expect in the new year.

This data is gold for refining service offerings and setting manageable targets. See how you measure up against competitors. In just an hour online, you can determine what three main rivals are promoting or promising for the new year. Use that intel to sharpen your own unique value proposition.

The difference between a good 2026 and a great one may come down to what you do while still in 2025. Better systems, clearer direction and a market reality-check can set up your business for win.