How I Plan for a Successful Year with My Team: Key Strategies for Business Owners

The Importance of Intentional Planning

As a business owner, it is crucial to approach the planning process with intentionality and avoid doing things for the sake of it. Setting clear goals and objectives for the team and allocating resources accordingly is critical to the success of the year. By planning ahead, you as the business owner can ensure that your strategies are aligned with your vision and avoid any unnecessary detours (or those pesky shiny objects!).

Creating Space for Effective Planning

For me personally, effective planning requires space. If I am going to plan effectively, it’s important that I create space and step away from the day-to-day work.

Personally, I prefer to plan in a different location, away from her usual working zone. This change of environment allows for more creative thinking and a fresh perspective. I really believe that by breaking away from routine, business owners can tap into their creativity and think outside the box. It is essential for business owners to consider their own preferences and needs when it comes to planning, as everyone has different ways of being productive and creative.

This year for example, running away for a weekend to plan simply wasn’t viable. But I did wait until I had ‘time space’ in my diary, less commitments and less obligations to be responsive to emails or anything else. I worked with what I could.

Involving the Team for Ownership and Commitment

Another crucial aspect of planning for a successful year is getting the team on board with the plans.

I like to suggest sharing enough information with the team to engage them and get them excited about the year ahead. However, it is important not to overwhelm them with unnecessary details.

By involving the team in the planning process, you can create a sense of ownership and commitment among the employees. This also allows for their input and ideas to be considered, leading to better decision-making and implementation.

I love a great team planning session with the team either in December (if you’re able to), before the Christmas party. This provides an opportunity to discuss the plans and make any necessary adjustments. It also fosters open communication and alignment of expectations. By ensuring that the team is excited and motivated to come back after the Christmas break, business owners can prevent turnover, as January is the peak time for resignations.

I then tend to have a big team planning session in January to bed in that engagement, and shorter ones quarterly throughout the year to keep the team engaged and on track.

In conclusion, planning for a successful year requires intentionality, creating space, and involving the team.

As business owners I suggest approaching the planning process with clear goals and objectives in mind, ensuring that your strategies you create in your planning are aligned with your vision.

Stepping away from the usual work environment and finding a different location for planning can stimulate creativity and fresh thinking. By involving the team in the planning process, you can create a sense of ownership and commitment, leading to a motivated and engaged workforce.

With these key strategies in mind, you really can set yourself and your team up for success and pave the way for a prosperous year ahead.

Remember, planning is not just about ticking off tasks, but about creating a roadmap for growth and achieving business goals. So, take the time to plan intentionally, create space for effective planning, and involve your team for ownership and commitment.

Here's to a successful year ahead!