Optimum: LIVE! Episode 24 – Christmas Musings of New Year Business Plans

In this festive edition of Optimum: LIVE!, Chris Dawes of Visual PR Productions is joined by Optimum Professional Services’ Michael Blaken for a relaxed end-of-year conversation about planning ahead for 2026.

As the year winds down, the team reflect on some of the big themes and common challenges faced by business owners in 2025, while looking ahead to how individuals and organisations can get a head start on the new year

From tax deadlines and business structure reviews to personal finance checks and goal setting, this episode offers a mix of insight, advice, and a bit of light-hearted chat to wrap up the year.

In that period between Christmas and New Year, it is often an ideal time for business owners to think and doodle or brainstorm frank and creative thoughts and ideas down on paper. What is working and what isn’t? What new ideas do you have for the new year? What could that new business idea look like? And so many more thoughts that could spark in that quiet moment at this time of year.

In this episode:

• Reflections on the year in business
• What to consider before your financial year-end
• The benefits of forward planning in business and tax
• Creating achievable personal and business goals
• Allow your Christmas musings to be free and creative, but don’t try to come to conclusions on your own
• The importance of regular conversations with your accountant

Whether you’re winding down or gearing up for a busy January, this is a timely and useful listen for business owners, sole traders and anyone managing personal or company finances.

To speak with the team or get ahead with your plans, visit www.optps.co.uk

Subscribe to the channel, leave a comment with your business goals, and follow us for more practical insights in 2026.

#NewYearBusinessPlanning #YearEndAdviceUK #TaxPlanning2026 #OptimumLive
 

The episode can be watched and listened to from any of the following locations:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OptimumPS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OptimumProfessionalServices/live

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimum-ps

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1xHt43HDhn7SipOn9euUTx?si=bd239b1d0dc2497d

This is a Visual PR Productions broadcast – “At Visual PR Productions, we produce authentic, engaging, conversation-led video content and broadcasts. No scripts, no hard sell, just genuine, credible dialogue. Whether it’s for marketing, podcasts, training, panel shows, live events, or inductions, we help everyone feel at ease on either side of the camera. Then, with smart automation, we repurpose and share your content across the platforms that matter.”

https://www.visual-pr.co.uk/
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@visualpruk