Numbers Unlimited

The first half of the year usually tells you more about your business than most people realize, but it's easy to miss what the numbers are showing when you're busy keeping the business moving.

By July, some patterns have had enough time to show up more clearly, and that can give you a much better sense of where the pressure has been building. The business may have been carrying more than it should, and it's important to identify any necessary adjustments before the second half of the year gets away from you.

In my opinion, this is a valuable point in the year to look at your records with fresh eyes, because they can start to show you whether the business is moving in the direction you expected or whether something needs attention before it becomes harder to shift.

The real value in a mid-year review is that it gives you the chance to respond to what the business is showing you instead of waiting until the year is almost over.