Follow the Recipe – 3 Steps to Annual Business Planning

Not all of us like to cook but we all know that recipes have measurements and directions for a reason! Check out our 3 Steps to Annual Business Planning.

We absolutely positively must successfully close the current, get our strategic initiatives/continuous improvement projects done well, and design a rock-solid game plan (be it individual, departmental, or company) so we can enroll the support we need to have a successful new year.

It takes time to create and refine an effective annual business plan, so let’s start now.

3 Steps to Annual Business Planning

Step 1: November: Focus: Annual Review (everyone)

• Do an annual company survey to get everyone’s input so we can enroll all stakeholders and show respect.
• Review/analyze your budget/preliminary new year budget.
• Complete all key current year continuous improvement initiatives/projects.

Step 2: December: Focus: New Year’s Game Plan

• With key inside and outside manager/leaders create a game plan for next year.
• Managers do their departmental plans and possibly complete annual individual reviews.
• Make sure budget and support needs (including key continuous improvement initiatives) are outlined to support A & B.

Step 3: January: Focus: Roll Out of Game Plan

• By January 15^th effectively roll out key new year goals. Ideally this will include your long-term vision, mission and key values that will give a code of conduct. As a group, outline the support you truly need.
• Review the roles and mission of each position and put them into the game plan.
• Have key continuous improvement initiatives started as a habit for the new year (critical to make it a habit vs. doing only when problems occur).

Suggested Leadership Articles

• We As Leaders Must
  www.johnruh.com/we-as-leaders-must/
• Is Your Company Ready to Win?
  www.johnruh.com/is-your-company-ready-to-win-in-2013/
• The Game
  www.johnruh.com/the-game/