I often hear business owners debate the value of planning. ⚖Some argue that it’s a waste of time, citing reasons like the rapid change of pace, overwhelming busyness, or simply not knowing where to start. After all, why spend time crafting a plan when you could be out there hustling for new customers, right ❓
I must confess, I weigh-in on the side of planning. It’s true, creating a plan that collects dust in a drawer serves little purpose. But a well-used and managed plan❓ That can be a game-changer. Here’s why:
1️⃣Proactive over reactive: Without a plan, decisions and actions become reactive, leading to a Fragmented Focus Treadmill as your business grows.
2️⃣Clear Destination & Roadmap: A plan provides clarity on your business’s destination and sets out the roadmap to get there, allowing you to monitor progress as you go.
3️⃣Adaptability: Plans are not set in stone. They evolve with change, and they provide a framework to evaluate and adapt to your new circumstances.
4️⃣Team Alignment: In a team setting, your plan fosters a common vision and purpose, ensuring everyone’s on the same page.
5️⃣Focus: A plan sharpens your focus, and focus is a trait shared by all successful individuals.
6️⃣Business Mindset: The process of planning opens you to clarify your business direction and purpose and think strategically about the future.
7️⃣Road Map: Yogi Berra’s famous quote: “If you don’t know where you’re going, you will end up somewhere else.”
All this to say … I encourage you to embrace the process of planning not as a burden but as a beacon guiding your path to success.
To quote Benjamin Franklin ~ “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!”
Are you ready to harness the power and the focus of strategic planning? Use these questions to guide your Strategic Planning.
