Strategic Business Plan
Lack of direction leads many businesses to waste time, money, and resources. Even if you know your end goal, if you don’t have a plan in place to get there, you’re sure to suffer a lot of trial and error. A Strategic Plan gets to the heart of your business, outlining what you do well, where you want to go, and lays out how you get there. But where, exactly, should you begin when developing a strategic plan?
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Objectively determine the present state of your organization.
You can’t very well decide how to get where you want to go if you do not know where you presently are. While it is healthy, even necessary to have a vision of what your business would look like in an ideal world, it is crucial to acknowledge both the successes and shortcomings of your situation. Ignoring problems will only allow them to worsen and multiply, causing more harm in the long run.
To objectively determine your business’s present condition, take a good, hard look at the data. How does your company fare in the market compared to the competition? What do you do well? What sets you apart? What needs improving? Where is your money spent? What can be improved? These are essential questions to answer in order to move your business forward.
- Wouldn’t it be great if your businesses could do anything and everything, appealing to everyone and everything? As we all well know, this is not possible. Once you have determined your audience, specialty, and strengths, you must likewise narrow down the focus of your strategic plan. What outcomes are most pressing or will most benefit you and your team? What can wait? What do you have the resources to accomplish? Identify the most important goals and challenges facing your business and prioritize accordingly.
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Clearly define your goal.
If your business is going to spend time, money, and resources working toward a common goal, it is imperative that everyone understand what this goal is. Clearly define your desired outcome.
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Divide and conquer.
As we have already confirmed, no one can do anything and everything. Determine exactly who is responsible for each component of the plan. Detail strategies, action plans, and budgets to outline how each person, team, or department will advance the business toward the end goal.
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Refine. Repeat.
Once your plan has started, you can’t assume things will run smoothly from there. There are always bumps in the road. Review your progress at least once per quarter to stay on course, address changing conditions, and make any necessary adjustments.
Ready to get started with your strategic plan? Multivariable Solutions tailors a range of business solutions to your unique needs and goals. Give us a call to get started!
