The beginning of the year is a time of renewed motivation and a fresh start, especially in business. It’s time to take stock of your company’s goals, direction, strategy and resources. This is when we make plans and strategize change. Right?Well, the truth is, once January starts, so does the demand to get back to work. Unfortunately, our critical business planning process often gets short shrift. That’s why I developed the Annual Planning Guide, an easy-to-use guide that helps you start the new year on the right foot—with a solid plan for success. Here are some tips from the guide:
1. Learn from last year. Take an honest inventory of your accomplishments and shortfalls, strengths and weaknesses, for the entire year. Use this review to guide your business strategy for the coming year. Let go of what didn’t work to make room for new approaches.
2. Envision the year ahead. Imagine where you want your business to be in five or 10 years. Define your long-term aspirations. Go ahead, dream big! Envision a plan for this year that will set a solid foundation for achieving your goals down the line, as well as for the next 12 months.
3. Choose key areas of focus. Time and resources aren’t limitless. There’s always more to do than we can get done. Identify the key areas of your business where change will have the biggest impact. Target your actions at the areas that will move your company ahead this year.
4. Identify specific action steps. Set concrete goals with measurable results and set a clear end date. Get your specific action steps on paper and keep them on top of your desk—all year. Be realistic. You want to create an attainable to-do list that will produce positive results.
5. Allocate resources. Sit down with your team and work out a clear and concise plan, including strategies for accomplishing each action step, the rollout schedule and budget allotment. This is the make-it or break-it step that will define your success for the year, so plan carefully.
Design your strategy now so you’ll be ready to roll into the new year with a fresh start. Each step is important for achieving positive results and setting your business on track for bigger success in 2015.
For more than 25 years, Eroca Lowe has been helping senior-level leaders and their teams ramp up productivity in Fortune 500 companies, such as Bell Atlantic, Proctor and Gamble and Pacific Gas and Electric. She founded Accelerated Outcomes in 2007. For more information about her Design Day Workshops and to get your free Annual Planning Guide, visit www.accelerated-outcomes.com or call (415) 305-7252.
