Planning for success!

The current year isn’t over yet, why on earth would you want to start planning for next year?

Here are 3 good reasons to do so:

• If you wish to grow your business, you need to properly plan for it.

• Set specific goals and strategies to track business progress and inform major decisions

• Define a budget to prioritize and manage expenses

As you prepare for your business planning exercise, consider these helpful steps;

• Schedule timeslots in your agenda reserved exclusively for thinking and planning.

• Find a place where you can focus without constant interruptions or create an environment that inspires you to relax and think creatively. If you work from home, try going somewhere else for a change (ex: a hotel/retreat, restaurant lounge, library).

• Invite a few people to join your planning session to benefit from diverse perspectives

Ready for a planning session but not sure how-to kick-off the process?

1. Start by looking back on the recent achievements, shortfalls, and unanticipated outcomes;

   1. What were the impacts to your business?

   2. What lessons can inform your business strategies?

2. Gather and analyze insights about your product or services from multiple sources such as customers, employees, suppliers, stakeholders and data reports

3. Look far ahead;

   1. Define your long-term vision and the path to get there

   2. Define the goals you need to reach by the end of next year on your vision journey

Once you define your annual objectives, work you way back to set regular targets to achieve them. Finally, outline the key projects, activities and resources that will be needed to attain each target consistently.

To guide and assist you and your team to progress efficiently through this very important planning exercise, consider working with someone who has experience in facilitating and strategic planning.