The eye glaze often happens soon after the question "what is your business plan?"Instead of a strategic plan many want to hope last year's plan which was a variation of the previous year's plan will work out.
That is unsound thinking.
Building a strategy requires thought and work.
You need to map out objectives, write down realistic tactics, decipher roles and responsibilities, define target demographics, identify opportunities, exploit competitors' weaknesses, develop ideal customer profiles and execute a business plan.
Bored yet?
All too often you can hear the moans from miles around when the topic of strategic planning is brought up. There is fear that it will mean endless days locked in a boardroom hashing out the future of the company. After all, the world is changing so fast how can you keep up?
I actually had a business owner raise his hands to his ears and utter the "la la la I can't hear you" phrase which was my cue to escort myself out of the building. He was clearly not ready for a plan.
Strategy is Your Foundation.
Many find strategy unnecessary because it takes patience and time. What is more dangerous, some think they have a plan when it is clear they do not.
A common mistake is failing to grasp that it is an evolution, a process and something you refine constantly. But too many simply want to do the tactics without the strategy which might be the beginning of the end.
But who really needs a plan or a strategy?
@knealemann
strategy. marketing. social media.
photo credit: gawker
