At the start of a new year, many bosses are looking at their orders while thinking the same thing: business seems okay, but why does it feel more exhausting the more they do?
Difficulty hiring employees, rising costs, and the fear of unexpected issues when things get busy—these have become the daily reality for many small and medium-sized business owners.
From my experience over the years, 2026 isn’t about who rushes ahead the fastest, but who starts off standing firm. If you ask me, what should be prioritized at the beginning of the new year?
The First: Take care of your employees, and bosses can sleep soundly
Many bosses say people nowadays are pragmatic and leave as soon as they find a better opportunity. But honestly, many employees don’t leave just for a few hundred extra dollars—they leave because they feel “there’s no security here.”
I know a boss who runs a sales team. Over the past few years, employees came and went, and the team was never stable. Later, he made two small adjustments:
• Every employee was provided with basic medical insurance.
• The company matched RM50 per month for each employee’s PRS (Private Retirement Scheme) retirement plan.
Three months later, he was shocked to see the results: new employees stayed longer, senior employees were more motivated, and the team atmosphere became much more stable. The reason is simple. Employees feel that the boss isn’t only focused on results but also cares about what happens if they get sick or how they’ll manage in the future.
And here’s a more practical point: both group insurance and PRS matching are 100% tax-deductible in 2026.
The Second: Don’t wait for something to happen before regretting a lack of preparation
Many bosses’ first reaction to risk management is: “I probably won’t be that unlucky, right?” But the reality is, misfortunes often strike when you’re the busiest.
Last year, a factory in Selangor was hit by ransomware, and the hackers demanded RM1.3 million upfront. Fortunately, they had purchased cyber insurance a year earlier.
The insurance company immediately sent experts to handle the situation, repaired the system within 42 hours, paid no ransom, and ultimately covered about RM1.1 million in losses, including business interruption costs.
This serves as a reminder: insurance isn’t just for show—it’s there to save you in critical moments.
For small and medium-sized businesses, the following are worth checking:
Do you have cyber insurance to prevent being wiped out overnight?
Do you have key person insurance so the business can keep running if the boss or a core employee is affected?
Do you have credit insurance to protect against customer payment delays?
Do you have business interruption coverage to keep going after floods or fires?
The Third: Let others know about the good you do
People often ask, “What kind of company are you?”
They’re not asking how much money you make, but:
• Do you take care of your employees?
• Are you environmentally conscious?
• Do you have a sense of social responsibility?
This is essentially ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance).
Many bosses get a headache just hearing “ESG,” but it’s really not that complicated.
I usually advise clients to do one thing: write a one-page document outlining:
• How you treat your employees well
• How you save energy and protect the environment
• How you give back to society
Group insurance, PRS, training, LED lights, blood donations, volunteer activities—you might already be doing these things but have never organized them into a clear message.
2026 has just begun—no need to rush.
Start by taking care of these three things:
• Ensure your employees are protected.
• Build defenses against risks.
• Clarify and communicate your company’s image.
This way, your business will naturally run more steadily, and bosses can sleep more soundly.
In 2026, staying steady truly means winning.