Emerge Victorious! It's Already Next Year

Today's guest poster, Tim Hodson, is the editorial director of Lawn & Garden Retailer, GPN and Big Grower magazines.

In November I wrote an editorial about how long-suffering Chicago Cub fans have adopted the battle cry of "Wait until next year!"

The unfortunate reason for that battle cry is that it has now been more than 100 years since Cubs won a World Series. It's been more than 60 years since they even played in the World Series.

I am a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and I have learned to live with the phrase. I am not happy about it, but I am not the owner of the Chicago Cubs so I am not in a position to make the necessary decisions for the Cubs to emerge victorious in the coming season.

After a challenging 2009, you are in a position to make those decisions that will allow your company to emerge victorious in 2010.

You're a year older and hopefully a year wiser. Those challenges you faced throughout the year, as well as in previous years, should be your learning opportunities for 2010.

Even though 2009 is not officially over, you should be well on your way to formulating your business plan for this spring. So what did you learn is 2009 that you can apply to 2010? Have you developed a winning strategy based on your experiences?

Next year is already here. Are you ready? Will you emerge victorious?