Toss Grumley, the expert adviser behind business management consultancy Wolf+Fox, sits down with Idealog to talk business in 2022, where it’s heading in 2023, and key things businesses should be aware of.

Looking back at 2022, how would you describe the year as a business advisor at Wolf+Fox and director of prominent names such as Emma Lewisham, Nook Homes and more?

It was a turbulent year. We didn’t get that post-Covid year of everything being settled like everyone was craving. We had sickness, supply issues and then of course inflation which affected consumer confidence.

All that aside, for me it was a year of really counting my blessings and reflecting on all the positives happening across my network. Clients were still doing amazing things and we were achieving our goals across the businesses I’m director of.

At Emma Lewisham we launched into Mecca and secured launches into Goop, Space NK, Harrods and Selfridges for later this year.

At Nook Homes we thrived and grew in a turbulent construction industry, and I got the joy of showing anyone unfortunate enough to be in my car over Christmas our work whenever we drove past it on Waiheke. It’s incredibly gratifying to see the houses out in the wild being enjoyed.

Likewise, it was a fantastic year at Powerhouse Digital where we generated $110 million in sales for our clients, as well as generating 12.6k in leads and 14.3k in online bookings.

What are some of the key things you learnt in the past year that you will be taking into 2023 to ensure a successful business?

Resilience is a huge part of success and I think consistency ruled last year. People that kept focus all year and kept their forward momentum really thrived.

Even in turbulence the ability to stick to plans and ensure they’re executed is key to success.

Read more: Five minutes with Wolf & Fox founder Toss Grumley

It was also the year of brand and loyalty. Businesses that really connect with their customers outperformed those who don’t.

In 2023, what are some key points that will ensure a successful business?

Businesses must focus on continuous improvement and investment in their brand.

Strong brands will outperform, and owners must be looking at the small tweaks they could make to enhance performance. This could be improving conversions on the website, creating email flows, engaging their customers better.

It’s the time of the year where you want to be sitting down and making a plan, then working through that on a quarterly basis with a large amount of accountability

Many experts have said that in 2023 employees will be taking priority in their personal life, what is your advice on obtaining the perfect work/life balance?

I love work and what I do, so it’s not a burden for me. I’ve found the key is having work time and home time and keeping them separate.

I try to stay off devices at night and on the weekends when I’m with the kids. But of course business is what I do, so talking shop with friends or my network at any chance charges me up, it doesn’t drain me.

A big focus for people also needs to be having hobbies or other outlets, outside of just the business which really can be all-consuming.

Where do you see the business industry heading towards in the new year and what are some key aspects they should keep note of?

I think this will be a year of phases. We have summer, which is where we typically feel more positive, then we have a long winter where the interest rate rises and inflation will really catch up, then it’s the election phase, potentially interest rates dropping and back into summer at the end of the year.

I’m telling my clients to start the year at pace and with purpose, then continue to push and ride out the middle. Companies that do this will be positioned to push through the hard times and best benefit from the rebound when it happens.

On a personal level, what do you hope to achieve in 2023 and where do you see yourself at the end of the year?

For me, this year is about progression, but not in a radical way. I’m in a position personally and professionally that I’m very comfortable and content with, now it’s just trying to keep continuous improvement going. There might be a new investment, but there might not be, I just want to do what I can, the best that I can.