Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” October is strategic planning month, a perfect time to focus on your business and your own strategic planning efforts.
We make plans every day. We plan meetings and conference calls, timelines and budgets, and everything in between. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day hustle and bustle and lose sight of the bigger picture. That’s where strategic planning comes in.
Strategic planning is the process of setting out large goals, and what actions you need to take to achieve them. It helps set your course in the right direction and ensure that everyone is working towards a common goal. At Oster and Associates, we’re big advocates for strategic planning. In fact, it’s one of many services we offer.
Here are some helpful tips to get the most out of your strategic planning:
DO include your whole team. Everyone should be involved in planning. This will ensure all viewpoints are represented and can result in new ideas that you may not have thought of on your own.
DO think outside the box. What would you do if you had unlimited time and resources? What is your dream for your company? Where do you want your business to be in five years? Make sure your plan includes the steps you need to take in order to start achieving these goals.
DO make it measureable. When you plan your goals, try to set a deadline so they don’t slip away. For example, instead of stating your goal is “To increase sales” try something measurable, such as “To increase sales by 20 percent in the next year.”
DO monitor your plan. Consider printing it out and keeping a copy on your desk- and no, not under a huge stack of other papers. Refer to it regularly to keep yourself on track.
DON’T make your plan a concrete document. Strategic planning is an evolving process. Your plan should remain a living document that you can revise if needed.
Strategic planning can make a huge impact on the success of your business, especially in developing and growing your brand and your reach. At Oster, that’s our passion. Visit us at www.osterads.com or give us a call at 619.906.5540 to see how we can help you.
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