As the business community looked ahead to 2026, preparing for 2026 is vital, a group of proactive business owners came together for a focused and highly practical strategy workshop designed to help them prepare for the year ahead with clarity and confidence.
Held at The Sawmill in West Pymble, the evening created a space for reflection, strategic thinking, and forward planning at a time when many businesses were navigating ongoing change, shifting client expectations, and evolving market conditions.
Rather than a traditional presentation, the session was designed as an interactive workshop. Participants were encouraged to engage, contribute, and apply ideas directly to their own businesses in real time.
The core purpose of the session was to help business owners step out of day-to-day operations and look at the bigger picture—what was changing, what was emerging, and what needed to be prioritised to succeed in 2026.
Key Focus Areas
Throughout the evening, attendees explored several important strategic themes, including:
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The key drivers shaping business performance heading into 2026, including market shifts, client behaviour, and industry trends
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How to anticipate challenges early and position their business to respond effectively rather than react under pressure
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How to identify and leverage new opportunities that were emerging within their industry and local market
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Practical tools and frameworks to translate ideas into a clear, structured action plan for the year ahead
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The value of peer discussion, sharing insights, and learning from other local business owners facing similar challenges
The workshop was structured to balance insight with application, ensuring that participants were not only exposed to new ideas but also had the opportunity to immediately apply them to their own business context.
A Practical and Collaborative Format
One of the key strengths of the session was its highly practical and collaborative format. Instead of passive learning, attendees worked through guided exercises, discussions, and reflection points that helped them clarify their priorities for 2026.
Business owners were encouraged to think critically about where their time, energy, and resources should be focused in the coming year. This included identifying what needed to be refined, what could be scaled, and what may need to be restructured or removed altogether.
The environment also supported open conversation, allowing participants to share experiences, challenges, and ideas. This peer-to-peer exchange added significant value, as many attendees discovered they were not alone in the issues they were facing.
Your Speaker
The session was led by Frank Choy, Management Consultant and CFO at Capstone Consulting.
With decades of experience as both a Chief Financial Officer and strategic advisor, Frank has worked with a wide range of organisations through periods of growth, transformation, and structural change.
During the workshop, he shared practical insights drawn from real-world experience, along with proven strategic frameworks designed to help business owners make more informed decisions. His focus was on simplicity, clarity, and execution—helping participants cut through complexity and focus on what would truly move their businesses forward in 2026.
Outcomes and Key Takeaways
By the end of the evening, attendees had developed greater clarity around their direction and priorities for the year ahead. The workshop was designed to ensure that every participant left with something tangible and actionable.
Key outcomes included:
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A personalised action plan tailored specifically for 2026
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A clearer understanding of the trends and forces shaping their industry
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Practical strategies to improve performance, efficiency, and decision-making
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Renewed focus on key business priorities and areas of opportunity
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New professional connections with other business owners in the local community
Many attendees also noted the value of simply taking time out of their business to think strategically, something that is often overlooked in day-to-day operations.
Who Attended
The workshop brought together a diverse group of business owners and leaders, including:
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Small and medium-sized business owners
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Entrepreneurs preparing for growth and expansion in 2026
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Established business leaders seeking clarity and renewed direction
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Professionals looking to strengthen their strategic planning capability
This mix of experience levels contributed to rich discussion and a dynamic exchange of ideas throughout the evening.
A Focused Evening of Strategy and Insight
Overall, the Preparing for 2026 workshop delivered a highly focused and practical experience that combined strategic insight with real-world application. The intimate setting allowed for meaningful engagement, deeper discussion, and a strong sense of collaboration among participants.
Rather than simply discussing ideas, the session ensured that business owners left with a clear plan of action and a stronger sense of direction heading into 2026.
The evening reinforced the importance of stepping back from daily operations to work on the business—not just in it—and highlighted the value of structured planning supported by peer connection and expert guidance.