Mid-Year Business Check-In
How to Evaluate Your Progress and Adjust Your Strategy
As summer begins and the year reaches its halfway point, it’s the perfect time for a mid-year business check-in. For entrepreneurs and small business owners, the transition from Q2 to Q3 offers a natural pause to reflect on what’s working, identify areas that need attention, and recalibrate for a strong finish to the year.
Whether you’re on track or feeling off course, this simple process can help you adjust your sails and move forward with clarity and confidence.
Step 1: Review Your Goals and Metrics
Start by revisiting the goals you set at the beginning of the year. Ask yourself:
Which goals have I accomplished?
Which are in progress or behind?
Are my current goals still relevant?
Use data to guide your answers. Look at sales reports, website traffic, marketing analytics, customer feedback, and financial statements. Let the numbers tell the story of your progress so far.
Step 2: Identify Wins and Challenges
Celebrate the wins—no matter how small. Recognizing achievements keeps morale high and motivates your team (or yourself) to keep pushing forward.
Equally important is being honest about challenges. Were there unexpected market changes? Staffing issues? Product delays? Understanding the “why” behind the hurdles allows you to adjust your strategy—not just repeat the same actions hoping for different results.
Step 3: Reassess and Refine Your Strategy
Your original strategy was based on assumptions made months ago. As your business evolves, so should your plan.
Ask:
Do I need to shift priorities or timelines?
Are there new opportunities or risks I didn’t anticipate?
Is there something I need to stop doing to free up resources?
This is a great time to realign your short-term efforts with long-term goals. You may need to pivot, scale back, or double down—what matters most is being intentional.
Step 4: Set Clear, Actionable Goals for Q3 and Q4
Now that you’ve evaluated your progress, set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) for the second half of the year.
Examples:
Increase revenue by 10% by the end of Q3
Launch a new product or service by October
Grow your email list by 300 subscribers by December
Attend two local networking events per month
Keep these goals visible and revisit them regularly. They’re not just benchmarks—they’re your roadmap.
Step 5: Check In on Systems and Support
Now’s a great time to look at the backend of your business. Are your systems, tools, and support structures helping or hindering your progress?
Consider:
Automating time-consuming tasks
Upgrading software or tools
Outsourcing certain responsibilities
Reconnecting with mentors or incubator resources
At Shoals Business Incubator, we encourage our clients to use these check-ins as a chance to reset, reengage, and reenergize their business momentum.
Final Thoughts
A mid-year check-in isn’t just about what you’ve done—it’s about where you’re headed. By reviewing your progress, refining your strategy, and setting fresh goals, you’ll be better positioned to finish the year strong.
Need help evaluating or adjusting your plan? Shoals Business Incubator is here to support you. Let’s make the rest of this year your strongest yet.