The idea of Spring cleaning brings to mind dusting office furniture and dumping piles of papers that’s been accumulating. But this time of year is an opportunity to tackle some tasks that involve your mind and not physical activity. These intangibles are vital to your bottom line. Here are half a dozen tasks to consider now:
6 tasks to include now:
1. Revisit your business plan
A business plan isn’t static; it should be reviewed regularly. But small business owners often don’t prioritize this important activity. Now that we’re nearing the end of the first quarter of 2026, it’s helpful to assess how things have gone since January 1 and what needs to change. Also think about your goals and whether any have changed or need to be changed. SCORE offers tips on when and why you should review your business plan.
2. Plot out your marketing strategies for Spring and Summer
If your business is sensitive to the seasons, now is the time to fix your plans for the next several months. Will you be offering sales? Promotions? Will you be introducing new products or services? Are any activities tied to upcoming holidays (e.g., Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, 4th of July)? Strategic Factory has the ultimate 2026 marketing calendar by industry.
3. Evaluate your cybersecurity
Cybersecurity concerns are year-round (and are more concerning to SMBs than economic pressure), but now may be the time to be sure your software is updated. According to a recent report, 84% of SMB owners handle cybersecurity personally. AI has upped the threat of cyber breaches and other problems with online data because of deepfakes and other insidious attacks. Also think about more training for your staff to ensure the safety of your data and other proprietary information. Comcast Business has extensive information to help you stay ahead of cyber threats.
4. Check tax strategies
You may have filed your 2025 return or are about to do so. If you looked closely, you’ve seen there were new rules at work, and more changes take effect in 2026. Once tax season has passed, it’s a great time to meet with your CPA or other tax adviser to review the return that’s been filed and discuss what you can do for the rest of this year to optimize your tax position. Monitor my Idea of the Day® for important tax developments. J.K. Lasser’s Small Business Taxes 2027 will contain tax changes for 2026 (I’m working on this book now).
5. Review safety procedures
Safety is a 24/7 concern. With the warmer weather, there’s more construction and other outdoor activities that can raise special concerns. You should have policies and procedures in play to ensure the health and safety of your staff. Review them now to be sure they are up to date.
OSHA offers tips on various safety measures to prevent illness and accidents:
6. Evaluate your insurance coverage
Many business policies renew on July 1, looking at your existing coverage and checking for gaps now will give you time to shop around for the coverage you need. Things to think about:
- Business growth means more coverage is needed. Your current business owners policy (BOP) may not be sufficient for your current business activities.
- The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1. Your BOP probably doesn’t coverage flood damage and a separate flood insurance policy is needed if you are located in or near a flood zone.
- Do you want/need cyber liability insurance? You may be able to add the coverage to your existing BOP. Find information about cyber liability insurance from the FTC.
Final thought
“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” ~ Leo Tolstoy
Set aside time to review the 6 suggested tasks discussed here and then get to it!
Additional information and ideas for spring cleaning can be found in this list of blogs.
