Coupled with effective leadership and good communication, these three elements form the foundation of a successful business strategy, providing direction, purpose, and a shared understanding of values for the organisation.

However, according to a recent survey by employee engagement company Tinypulse, only 42% of employees know their company's vision, mission, and values, citing a lack of communication from senior management as the main reason as to why the majority are in the dark.

As we begin the new year, now is the time for business owners to reflect, adjust and adopt new strategies to drive growth, where enhanced communication and a clear vision and objectives will be key to success.

Yet, with many business owners already at risk of being dragged back into the day-to-day, what is the best way to achieve this? Let’s explore:

Step up regular team communications

Communication within remote settings has proven to be a challenge for many businesses looking to navigate this new working dynamic, which has made it difficult to maintain team alignment.

This has been evidenced through findings by Nature Human Behaviour, which found that remote working is creating an isolation. Furthermore, it also found that if this environment is not addressed properly through effective communication practices, it can lead to a disconnect between employees, the business, and its wider objectives.

To address these concerns and enhance team cohesion, organisations are turning to regular catchups and alignment opportunities. Embracing consistent communication platforms, such as virtual meetings, collaborative tools, and transparent channels, can bridge the gaps imposed by remote settings.

Utilise peer-to-peer support

Peer-to-peer support can be a powerful resource for business owners facing communication and team alignment challenges. Drawing from the experiences of peers who have undergone similar challenges provides invaluable first-hand experience, offering practical insights and actionable strategies.

A recent report by BizSmart® highlights the transformative impact of peer-to-peer support on business leaders. In its findings, 100% of participants reported increased confidence and leadership capacity and had increased their goals and ambitions, while an additional 83% noted a boost in business resilience.

To unlock the key to team alignment and address evolving business challenges, peer-to-peer support sessions can be a pivotal driver for success this year. These group sessions provide a supportive platform for open discussions and collective learning, equipping business leaders with the tools and resilience to overcome obstacles and thrive in 2024.

Establish and communicate core values

To drive alignment and cultivate a shared vision, businesses must not only establish but effectively communicate their core values to the team. Core values provide the team with a clear understanding of the organisation's core ideology - a set of consistent values defining its identity, purpose, and existence.

According to findings reported by Nailted, 42.8% of employees perceive their company's mission and values as motivational cornerstones. However, the reality, as highlighted by a study from Northstar leadership training, unveils a concerning statistic: 72% of employees are unaware of their organisation's business strategies and objectives.

Having a strong set of core values is crucial for aligning decisions with the broader vision of a business. According to The Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System, research and experience have shown that businesses with a strong sense of Core Values and Core Purpose are the ones that succeed over time and go further than the others. The book also highlights the connection between communicating strong core values and empowering employees to navigate challenges independently, thereby reducing the need for constant guidance from management.

These values not only instil confidence and motivation among employees but also deepen their understanding of the business, enabling them to make well-informed choices that contribute to achieving business goals.

Implement a 90day rhythm

To effectively analyse a business and improve performance for the year ahead, businesses must regularly analyse its habits, goals, and challenges. Using a framework such as a 90-day plan, enables businesses to ask the question, ‘What does ‘good’ look like in 90 days?’ or ‘When we meet in 90 days, what must be achieved by then, for us to consider the quarter to be a success?’

While many businesses opt for a six-month or annual review, the idea behind a 90-day plan is that it is short enough to secure tangible results over that period, while also contributing to the wider business goals. Maintaining a more regular evaluation process allows businesses to make informed decisions, pivot focus – where necessary, and align the team around the key priorities for the business.

Not only does this approach help align the team to achieve goals, but it also strengthens four fundamental factors:

• Clarity –enables a business to review and agree on the business's goals and clearly set priorities and decisions.
• Alignment – helps the team to work to the same priorities and needs of the business.
• Flexibility – it gives you the ability to review progress regularly and adjust course quickly to ensure execution.
• Great communication – it improves internal communication within the business.

Blueprint to success

As we stand at the beginning of the new year, business owners have a fresh opportunity to innovate and take proactive measures to address challenges like team cohesion, communication, and aligning business objectives. By doing so, businesses can reap the benefits of an aligned, motivated and resourceful team.

Not only this, but by combining these strategies, businesses create a strong sense of connection, resilience, and shared purpose among employees, instilling loyalty among the team, As we move forward, it's crucial to view these communication strategies as more than just tools, but navigate them as a blueprint to success, for the years ahead.

Kevin Brent, Founder of BizSmart