I have an apology to make as I shared an email of a similar subject line around this time last year and I got quite a few replies - which were a mix of humour and some were downright disgusted with me.

So here goes - let's go again (they say you can't please all of the people all of the time).....!

As I write this email - today is August 30th.

The end of the summer holidays for most, although our Caledonian cousins have been back at it for a couple of weeks already.

The end of month eight of the year.

Two thirds of the way through 2024.

The end of longer nights, beer gardens and barbecues (perhaps).

And the start of the focus on, for some, the most critical part of the year.

The sprint towards the "Golden Quarter."

And we know what that means for us as consumers, let alone business owners.

Black Friday.

Christmas.

New Year.

(I know I have missed some things, but you get the gist....)

So here is a question for you.

Where are you at against the plans you made at the start of this year.

Is your revenue running at around 67% of what you planned for?

What about your profits?

How has the year been so far?

You see, now is the time, before things start going "bonkers" to reevaluate, reset and get everything ready for the final few furlongs of 2024.

The big fella in the red suit will be here in the blink of an eye, and I want you to be conident that he is going to deliver you what you wanted way back at the start of the year - but only if you are on the "nice list" - been good and done the things you planned to.

And even if you are currently on the "naughty list" there is still time - just don't let the sand drift away.

It will soon be 2025.

I'm sorry - I said it..

Keep smiling!

Speak soon,

James