business planning : The 100 day plan for 20xx (Part 3)

business planning : The 100 day plan for 20xx (Part 3)
    

Let’s start with a quick refresher.

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 The purpose of your 100 day plan is to have a simple and speedy way to reorganize or refocus your business or organisation.

 In Part 1 of these articles, you learned how to start the process of getting clear organized thinking by creating a brief Vision document.

 This document answers the number one strategic question: “What would my/our business or operation be like if it was *functioning* effectively.

 In Part 2, we started a process of smart solution simplification. As mentioned, for your 100 day plan to be effective, it must be simple enough for all concerned to fully understand.

 To begin this, you were asked to identify just two or three priorities from all of the vision goals that you identified.

Strategic Planning: Fundamentals for Small Business

 Next, you were asked to name or describe the “Solutions” or “Processes” that would be needed to achieve the vision goals you have named.

 At this point, let me stress it is not necessary that you know how to do the needed action steps.

 So Step 1 and Step 2 are very *WHAT* focused. Not how focused.

 The “how-to” solutions

Finally, it’s now time to handle the “how-to” action steps for your 100 day plan.

 Because doing the action steps is a step that trips up many, let me explain the logic that I suggest you follow.

 Know or not-know
I’m going to suggest that 90% of all of the action plans that you will need to create, come into just two categories:

1.  You know how to do what’s needed
2. You don’t know the how-to action steps

 The other 10% is likely to be: “I think I know some of the action steps, but lack some skills or knowledge for taking effective action. In other words, it’s a combination of the two categories mentioned above.

 So here is how the action plan system works.

 Select one of the “Solution” requirements you identified in Part 2

1. Make a decision as to whether you are, or are not, confident on the required how-to action and implementation steps.
2. Strategic Planning: Fundamentals for Small Business
3. If you do understand what need to be done, do this:Make a numbered list of the required action steps. Beside each action steps, note the name of the person who will perform the task and the desired or required completion date.
4. If you *do not* know how to achieve the selected goal, do this:Make a list of the steps that you (or a team member) will take to:
   (a) Learn how to perform the needed action steps – or
   (b) Delegate or outsource this requirement – or
   (c) Seek help from friends or business associates – or
   (d) Investigate the feasibility of this goalAgain, for the selected action option, note the name of the person who will perform the task and the desired or required completion or decision date.

 As you can see, this procedure puts you and keeps in control. If you understand the situation, it’s simple and straightforward.   

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 If it’s a requirement that’s beyond your knowledge or skill, this method gets you into “plan the next part of the plan” mode.