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Next Level Strategies

Creating Value for Business Leaders Since 2001

October 17, 2012 by Jim Malski

Successful Strategic Planning


Successful Strategic Planning

Successful Strategic PlanningDuring strategic planning sessions some have the tendency to discuss what’s not working and then spend the bulk of the planning session trying to solve those issues. It’s true that you should learn from your mistakes and change what’s not working. We certainly cannot continue to do the same thing and expect different results…but focusing exclusively on the negative can really be a drain. With a negative focus, it’s understandable why so many people dread the planning process.

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” ~Albert Einstein

So what’s the alternative?

Focus on what’s working instead of on what’s not working.

If you are having difficulty driving revenue rather than focusing on why revenue isn’t growing, try going back to a time when revenue was at an all time high.  Analyze why things were working when revenues were up.  Who were the key players on the team?  Meet with them and ask them what they were doing at that time.  Was your sales staff constantly in the field?  Were you focused on a specific clientelle at that time?  Did you have a product that was selling like crazy?   

Even during times when revenue is not growing, sales were made, new clients were acquired and existing clients bought more. Be sure to speak with the players who are winning in the current environment to find out what’s working for them.  Then, share it!

In our planning sessions we usually try to focus on the following:

  • What are your Top 5 biggest WINS this quarter in your business? What made them happen?
  • What are your top WINS for the year in your business?  What made them happen … ?

Marcus Buckingham, the strengths movement guru (Go Put Your Strengths to Work), notes that if you want to help your children with their F’s, ask them about their A’s what did they do to get their A’s, why they like that subject more than the other, what the teacher does, etc. You can’t ignore the F’s, but you can study what’s working – the A’s.  The same is true in business.  If you want to move forward in your business then focus your energies on what’s working and why.  If you focus on what’s working, you’ll be far more productive. 

Are you looking to conduct a Successful Strategic Planning session? We can help you starting today.

Simply click the link below to schedule your free 30 minute, no obligation, phone consultation. We’ll focus on your #1 challenge, and at the end of the call we’ll give you at least one practical strategy so that you can move forward immediately.

Schedule your free 30 minute
business assessment session today!

Or you can follow the link and our business experts can provide a Complimentary Business Evaluation for your business.

Start increasing your bottom line today.

Filed Under: Business Development, Business Planning, Business Planning, business planning

About Jim Malski

Jim Malski started Next Level Strategies in 2001. Since then Malski has mentored thousands of owners to improve their results and achieve their business and personal goals. His practical knowledge and proven strategies, based on his experiences as a CPA and entrepreneur who has bought and sold 16 businesses, focus on helping clients make significant, immediate and lasting improvements.

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