Most of the companies I’m an investor in have a fiscal year that lines up with the calendar year. As a result, with a few exceptions, the 2010 numbers are done and the 2011 numbers have reset to zero.
When I was running my first company (Feld Technologies) this was a big moment each year. I still remember it vividly – we pushed and pushed and pushed an increasing revenue (and profit) number each year with the goal of exceeding the previous year. On 12/31 at 11:59pm, the numbers were in and it was time to start over.
While I recall a few “flat” years, I’m pretty sure we increased the top line at least a little over each of the seven years we were in business. We had several big growth years (100% or more). Our bottom line always held its own – I think it was “flat” in the flat years, but again we had several big growth years where we got to new levels.
But every year on the first day back at work after the new year I recall being somewhat daunted that we were back at zero for all the numbers.
Welcome to 2011.