Edition 507 – New Year’s Notes

Written by Dean Robinson.

Happy New Year! May 2026 bring you and your family good health, much happiness and great success, in all aspects of your life.

As I like to do at this time of year, here’s a few of my thoughts as to how I see things panning out in 2026, along with one wish.

Obligations, not just Rights – in 2006, the trade union movement launched the most effective political campaign against the then Howard Government’s Work Choices legislation – “Your Rights At Work”. They’ve rolled it out almost every election campaign since, forgetting one important matter, being “Your Obligations at Work”. Like, turn up on time; get off your phone whilst you’re in work mode; and don’t refuse to do certain elements of the required role, simply because “they no longer suit me”. There’s a grumbling underway amongst business owners at the moment, about the focus some of their staff have towards their roles. When that grumbling comes from businesses that have invested heavily in employee welfare and incentive schemes in recent years, you know there’s an earthquake coming before too long.
Life Balance – is something more business owners are chasing, then doing something about. I count at least four retail/hospitality businesses in my local town of Camden that are closed for four weeks in January. The local artisan bakery (there are long lines, each weekend, for what is admittedly, delicious sourdough bread and sweet treats), have carved out this month, every year, since they commenced in business four years ago, to take a break and re-charge the batteries. For my wife and I, we’ve already decided that December 2026, we’re locking out the whole month. If your business is not enabling you and your family to live their best lives, then why are you doing it?
Known Quantities – I’m observing a trend towards customers and clients engaging with businesses in the first instance, through the business and the owner’s story of who they are and what they stand for? If you’ve been around for 30 years and are known for an exceptional product or service, who out there knows about it other than your existing and former clients? Are you shouting it from the rooftops, and telling prospective clients why you’re as passionate about what you do, as you are? People are looking to trust businesses they engage with, and that trust comes first, through knowing their story.
Online Presence – is disappointingly, very poor amongst small and family business. Whether it’s a web presence, or through social media, or a combination of both, what surprises me is how many businesses are doing an exceptionally lousy job of promoting themselves. The aforementioned local artisan bakery have perfected the use of social media, leading to those lines each weekend, including past other cafes. They engage regularly, and in an interesting way, something that a lot of other businesses could learn from. Small and family business, needs to ramp it up.
Government Reform – and, finally, let me stand on my soapbox for a moment! The Albanese Government have been in office for 1325 days. I cannot think of a single policy achievement since they took office in May 2022. Not one! The nation is crying out for fundamental reform in the taxation system, government spending, the waterfront, and industrial relations. If you’re not in Government to change the landscape and design the future, then what are you in Government for?

I myself am incredibly optimistic for 2026. I’m going to:

Finally write that book I’ve long talked about;
Create some new initiatives, one around business, and another around the welfare of men;
Ramp up my learning around purpose and meaning, as my work takes me further into that territory; and,
I’m going to learn new skills and meet new people by commencing a course next week, in the art of creative writing.

Roll on 2026!

This Week’s Tip

“What’s something new you’re trying, in 2026?”