If 2025 felt more about maintaining balance than pushing for growth, you’re not alone. After a long stretch of higher costs, inconsistent customer demand and ongoing uncertainty, focusing on stability has made sense. Many of you will still be investing, hiring and servicing customers, but likely with a more cautious eye, as well as more modest expectations of what the wider economy will provide.

That way of thinking will still be important this year. There is little to suggest a strong economic lift, but no clear signs of a sharp slowdown either. More likely, it will be another year where progress comes from making sensible decisions, staying close to the numbers and concentrating on what you can control day to day.

Our Xero Small Business Insights data shows that sales growth eased as 2025 progressed, something many of you will recognise from your own experience. With the Bank of England expecting similar economic conditions this year, success is likely to depend less on pushing for rapid scale and more on strengthening the foundations of the business.

Here are some of the areas to focus on as you look to build resilience and prepare for the year ahead.

Getting more done without doing more

When growth is harder to come by and costs remain high, even small changes to that might help boost productivity can feel out of reach for those that are already under so much pressure. The best way is to start small. Step back and look at how work is done day-to-day and if everything is really working for you.

Look for areas where you might be able to free-up time so you can spend more on the areas that matter. Changes such as simplifying processes or automating routine tasks, like sending or chasing invoices, can give you valuable time back. Gaining back even a few extra hours a week can make a big difference, whether that time is spent improving customer service, developing new ideas or driving sales. It isn’t about reducing work, it’s about building a business that operates at its full potential.

Staying on top of compliance changes

One of the biggest changes facing small businesses in 2026 is the introduction of Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. From April, sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 will need to comply, with millions more affected in the years that follow.

With the deadline now just months away, it is important to start preparing. Moving towards digital record-keeping, understanding what information will need to be reported and speaking with trusted accountants or bookkeepers can help avoid disruption during already busy periods.

Crucially, look for the upside. Digital bookkeeping will put more regular and up-to-date financial information at your fingertips so you have a clear picture of how things are going. This will make it easier to manage cash flow, plan for tax bills and make confident decisions throughout the year.

Keeping your cash flow healthy

Cash flow remains one of the most common challenges for small businesses, particularly when economic conditions are uncertain. Even businesses that are trading well can come under pressure if payments are delayed or costs rise unexpectedly.

With 2026 expected to be another testing year, keeping a close eye on cash flow and liquidity will be essential. That starts with knowing exactly who owes you money, following up promptly on overdue invoices and making it as easy as possible for customers to pay.

Simple steps can move the needle so be clear about payment terms, automate late payment reminders and offer a choice of payment options to get invoices settled sooner.

Building on your customer relationships

When customers are being more careful with their spending, winning and keeping their attention becomes harder. This is where small businesses often have an advantage. Closer relationships and a better understanding of customer needs mean smaller firms can respond more quickly and personally than larger organisations.

Think about how you can build a two-way relationship with those customers that are consistently spending with you. It could mean offering incentives to reward loyalty or providing a more personalised, bespoke service that corporate enterprises can’t match. In a lacklustre economy, customer retention can be just as powerful as customer acquisition.

Being ready for what lies ahead

Economic forecasts provide a useful guide, but are never guarantees. While inflation is expected to ease, there is a risk it could remain sticker than anticipated. If that happens, it would reduce the scope for further interest rate cuts and make it harder for the economy to deliver even modest growth.

There are also uncertainties beyond the UK that could affect confidence and spending, from changes in global trade to volatility in financial markets. These are factors you cannot control, but you can prepare for.

For small business owners, flexibility is the goal. That might mean being cautious about long-term commitments, making sure there is some financial breathing room, and regularly stress-testing your assumptions about sales and costs. Planning for uncertainty is not about expecting the worst but about knowing how you would respond if conditions changed.

Laying strong foundations for the year ahead

2026 is unlikely to deliver a dramatic economic turnaround, but there are still practical steps you can take to stay one step ahead. Looking ahead will matter. Keep an eye on upcoming changes, adjust ways of working and forecast cash flow so you have the clarity to respond quickly as the year unfolds. Building this resilience now will ensure that your business is prepared to deal with whatever the year brings.

Louise Southall is an economist at Xero.