In a recent episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore the value of a business tune-up—a mid-year check-in designed to help business owners realign with their goals, improve operations, and reduce waste.
Whether your business is thriving or simply coasting, regular evaluations can uncover blind spots, highlight new opportunities, and help you operate more effectively.
What Is a Business Tune-Up?
Rob Broadhead describes a business tune-up as a strategic assessment of your company’s core elements—from technology and marketing to compliance and overall alignment with your mission.
It’s not just about checking sales metrics. It’s about asking:
- Are we still aligned with our mission?
- Is our customer experience consistent and strong?
- Are we positioned for sustainable growth?
This type of review should happen at least once or twice a year and can often be completed in 30 minutes or less.
Business Tune-Up Step 1: Review Your Website and Messaging
Your website is often a potential customer’s first interaction with your business. Rob recommends reviewing:
- Site functionality and uptime
- Messaging and value proposition
- Blog content freshness
- Design consistency and branding
Walk through your website as if you were a first-time visitor. Does it clearly explain what you do? Are there outdated blog posts or confusing navigation paths?
Business Tune-Up Step 2: Audit Subscriptions and Expenses
Michael Meloche shares how he routinely reviews business expenses to identify unnecessary costs and expired tools. He recommends:
- Reviewing all active services and tools
- Identifying subscriptions no longer in use
- Evaluating recurring expenses for ROI
Many businesses waste hundreds or even thousands per year on forgotten tools. This step alone can have an immediate financial impact.
Business Tune-Up Step 3: Adjust for Growth and Scale
If your business is growing, your infrastructure should grow with it. Michael emphasizes reviewing internal workflows and team bandwidth to determine if:
- It’s time to hire additional help or virtual assistants
- Agile practices and documentation need improvement
- Your current tools can be consolidated or upgraded
Rob notes that as businesses grow, systems that worked early on can quickly become limiting. Simplifying and integrating tools may offer greater efficiency and ROI.
Business Tune-Up Step 4: Check for Compliance and Security
Staying compliant is essential, especially in regulated industries like healthcare, finance, and technology.
Your compliance check should include:
- Reviewing certifications and licenses
- Verifying software updates and security patches
- Staying informed on new industry regulations
Neglecting updates or certifications can lead to legal issues or vulnerabilities. Keeping up with best practices ensures stability and avoids disruptions.
Business Tune-Up Step 5: Refresh Marketing and Outreach
Marketing is often neglected during busy periods, but it shouldn’t be.
Key areas to review:
- Campaign performance (email, PPC, content)
- Social media presence and engagement
- Follow-up processes for leads
- Marketing funnels and conversion paths
Michael reminds listeners that maintaining an active presence—even in slower seasons—can generate new leads and keep your brand top of mind.
Episode Challenge: Complete a 30-Minute Business Tune-Up
Rob concludes the episode with a simple but impactful challenge:
Take 15 to 30 minutes this week to perform a business tune-up.
Review your website, marketing, expenses, workflows, and compliance. Even small improvements can generate new opportunities, cut costs, or increase performance.
Stay Connected
We want to hear from you. Whether you’ve completed a business tune-up or have questions about how to start, reach out:
- Email: [email protected]
- X (formerly Twitter): @develpreneur
- YouTube: Developer Podcast Channel
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/develpreneur/
Final Thoughts
A business tune-up doesn’t require massive changes, but it can drive significant results. Taking a step back helps ensure that your tools, team, and tactics support your long-term vision. Use this moment to clean up, recalibrate, and prepare for the next growth phase.