When we combine understanding "the numbers" with good old-fashion, strategic thinking you can increase your business results dramatically. Unfortunately, they alone cannot guide you to success.

The problem is that most owners and managers spend the majority of their time doing the day-to-day tactical chores the business demands. Combine this with unexpected crisis management and this does not allow you much time for figuring out where your business is at, and where you want it to go.

In today's economy, so many owners are consumed with sales numbers rather than gross profits. Some of you even squander time wrenching on equipment or fiddling with things that do not have anything to do with strategy and derive little long-term results.

If it applies to you, you must change this behavior. As I have pleaded with readers in the past when addressing the subject of URGENCY, you must focus the vast majority of your time on tasks and events that are essential to your success.

I encourage you to spend time understanding what markets will produce the best results for your company. Are you looking at what your competition is doing and how it affects your company? Are you advertising and branding properly? Many companies out there are experiencing difficult times. Business has either slowed dramatically or prospects and clients are focusing on the lowest price. Maybe both are true for you. In any event, if you have not been planning your future it is not too late to start.