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THIS WEEK
Why Planning is the Last Thing on Most People's Minds
ALSO IN THIS EDITION
Why Planning is the Last Thing on Most People's Minds
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You know you "should" plan, and yet when it comes to organising a planning session the excuses come thick and fast. In my decades of working with businesses and helping them plan, I have observed the excuses why they don't plan fall into two categories depending on personality types.
Big picture people – these are the people who hate to be boxed in. After all, they want to have the flexibility to be able to respond to changing circumstances, so strategic or business planning is seen to be irrelevant and quickly out of date.
Detail people – these are the people who hate planning because it is too pie in the sky. After all, they need concrete details to be able to work out what the next steps are, so strategic or business planning is not needed as they already know what work is coming, they just need to work out how to do it with better systems and processes.
Both types of people are right – if planning is done with the sole intention of getting a documented strategic or business plan, then no-one's needs are met and problems arise.
 The same excuses are used when people are to do their performance reviews. The big picture people hate being tied into goals and targets and the detail people can't find measures that are accurate enough to measure what they do.
That's why I say planning is not an end in itself. Planning is only the means to an end. You need to start by working out what you really want your planning to deliver to your business.
Are you looking for:
- a common understanding of challenges and goals,
- improved teamwork,
- better cross team relationships,
- consensus on a difficult policy decision,
- streamlined processes,
- leadership development,
- a document so you can get a bank loan or attract investors,
- or something else.
Each of these goals mean a different process needs to be adopted for your planning, with different people attending and with possibly different facilitators and different timeframes.
The actual physical piece of paper is almost irrelevant for most outcomes – all it does is help to document in summary form what happened. This summary then acts as a mental trigger to help remind people of the connections, relationships and understanding.
Yes, you do need to know in what format the end document will take, but the document is not as important as the process you went through to make it.
So the next time you are asked to "draft up a business plan" – take a few minutes to work out what you want your plan to do for you before you start. You will get a much more effective result.
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| Marketing Tip of the Week: Image is Important |
 This week I reviewed three different proposals from web development companies. Each had similar content even though the pricing varied dramatically.
So which one did my client choose? The one that a) looked the best and b) had a testimonial from someone he knew.
Business proposals are critical for many businesses, and yet most are simple Word documents.
Of course you need to ensure the words in your proposal are compelling, easy to read, contains testimonials and includes all of your business terms and conditions (a copywriter can help polish your words for maximum impact).
It also pays to get a Graphic Designer take your standard template and make it attractive. That little touch speaks volumes about your professionalism and your attention to detail (and will win more business).
Image is as important as the words that you use - ensure you use both to your advantage.
 Many businesses struggle with what should go into a business plan. Whichi is why one of my colleagues, Donna-Marie Coggins has created a great free business plan template available for download.
This template covers off everything most businesses need to include in a business plan - including bits they possibly hadn't thought about.
If you need to plan, or just want to keep the template on file for your next planning exercise, then download a copy of this free business plan template today.
Hiring uni students or graduates can be a challenge for most HR Managers. Lots of running around to different unis or a blanket ad in the general recruitment media which results in piles of non-relevant applications. That's why I love this new site in Australia - makes life a heck of a lot easier!
exuberantly yours
Ingrid
Heart Harmony
PS: This week's blog also included a post about "What can you learn from shopping trolleys?"
Legal stuff: This newsletter is intended only a general guideline for Australian businesses. You should seek specific advice for your situation rather than relying only on this newsletter
Earnings disclaimer. Some of the content may include advertorial information, which means I may receive financial compensation for the products I recommend. But - unless I know and trust the product, I will not recommend it.
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