Pointless Planning
Hayley Parker, Director and Founder of OPS-BOX Group shares why planning is key to performance
Planning is so Important if you Want to be Successful
Whether that’s planning for a wedding, planning to buy a property or planning for your business, spending time working through the detail – getting your ideas down, being clear on the pros and cons, understanding the market and your customers’ needs, as well as the financials – are all really important.
With the turbulence and uncertainty we’ve seen over the last two years, the importance of planning has been highlighted more so than ever before, which is why it should definitely be featuring high on a business’ agenda, particularly as we move into a new year.
At OPS-BOX we often see businesses that have the opportunity to grow, albeit with some challenges that need focus, but the difference between them achieving the growth they want and failing, comes down to two simple things – time and the approach to execute the plan.
Implementing the plan is where the hard work really starts.
So, When is Planning Pointless?
It can be pointless if all you do is develop a plan and then let it sit on a shelf or leave it saved in a file. This might sound obvious, but we are still surprised by the number of businesses we work with that do this – spend time and money developing a business plan which leaves them feeling pleased and
relieved that they have ticked the business plan box for another year. Now we can get on with the day job!
Just doing the planning is pointless unless you have clear next steps – prioritisation, actions, owners, timescales and the time and resources available to actually deliver the plan.
The Winning Factor
For me, the winning factor is having absolute alignment across the business, shared goals and objectives with absolute consistency in the way performance is measured and rewarded.
So, how do you achieve this? It’s all about collaboration. Getting your employees onside – involving them with the development through to delivery of the plan and being consistent in how you measure and recognise their efforts.
Time, Effort and Follow Through
Often the excitement comes when you take the time out to develop a plan to achieve growth ambitions, but for me a great business plan is exactly that…. a plan that is great.
It’s what you do with it that’s important – the follow through.
Simply writing it, paints a picture of ‘what could be’. Taking action to deliver it, is what creates ‘what will be’.
Understanding and making the changes needed to the way a business operates – having clear roles, responsibilities, measures and accountability across the business, at every level, is what will deliver a plan.
I know where I’d rather spend more time and effort.
Hayley Parker is Director and Founder of OPS-BOX Group. At OPS-BOX, we support businesses to develop and execute business plans. If you would like some help to realise your goals for 2022, get in touch today. ops-boxgroup.com
