Everyday Run State: Pro Edition

Is it just me, or does September feel like the actual New Year?

Schedules kick back in, inboxes get busier, and even thought it’s been a while since I’ve been back to school, there’s that “fresh notebook” energy. It feels like Q4… except technically it’s still Q3. I’ve been slightly panicked, feeling like there is so much I need to get done before the end of the year.

My initial plan was to just put my head down, work harder, and hope for the best. Which is fine in theory, but it’s missing all the key learnings I’ve made from 2025 so far. So instead, I’m looking at September as a ‘bonus’ Q4 month to reflect and adjust before we finally get to the last quarter of the year.

In supply chain, you don’t wait until peak season to find out you’re missing stock - you check inventory early. Your business is no different. Right now is the time to ask: do you have the right time, budget, and people in place for the final stretch?

• Time → Are your engineers spending hours on low-value tickets because workflows or automation aren’t in place?

• Budget → Are you investing in the right tools (PSA, RMM, quoting) or subscribing to multiple underutilized systems that don’t pay off?

• People → Do your team roles and responsibilities align, or are projects still stuck in the “anyone can do it” pile? When anyone is doing it, nobody is doing it.

Since September is bonus time, think about what you can do differently now to close the year stronger:

• Automate the Little Tasks → Ticket triage, procurement approvals, expense entry. As a leader, ask your team members what ONE THING they hate doing most of all every week. Then, put your focus in trying to automate or remove it.

• Run a Quick SOP Audit → Your business runs on processes. If you gave an existing SOP to a new hire, would it give them what they need to do their job? Does it reflect how your business is currently running?

• Reforecast Services Inventory → Treat project hours like stock. Do you have enough skilled time “on the shelf” to deliver before year-end, or do you need to shift priorities?

• Pull Forward Client Conversations → Don’t wait until December to talk renewals, budgets, or expansions. September is the perfect time to get clients thinking ahead.

September feels like the start of Q4, but it’s really your last lap of Q3. Use it to clean up your operational shelves: free up time with automation, cut wasted spend, and make sure the right people are aligned to the right work.

That way, when the year-end rush comes, you’re stocked and ready - not scrambling for a last-minute order.