When I hear a business owner say they’ve already completed their Q1 planning for 2025, I’m impressed! How about you…have you taken the time out of running your business to plan for the future of the business?
It is that whole working in vs on your business scenario.
If not, Here are a few simple steps to get you started:
1. Review the vision, mission, and core values of the organization.
Does everything still line up? When you take time for a quick check-in on these business foundations, not only do you see if these are still the true focus on the company, they give you the right mindset in planning for the future.
2. Review the focus of your business.
What is the product or service you offer? Does it align with the vision and mission still? Sometimes as busines owners we get shiny object syndrome. We see something that we want to try, to provide or sell, and it doesn’t align with our vision and mission. If it doesn’t align with who you are as a company, cut it out. Focus on the services that move your organization forward.
3. Look at your marketing strategies.
Are they effective? If not, what needs to change for your marketing to be effective? Remember, every industry is different and what is needed for marketing may look different.
4. What is an area you want to focus on in the next year?
As Visionaries/CEOs/Leaders, we often want to do everything as quickly as possible. Then our staff gets overwhelmed and is not sure what the main focus is. I’d encourage you to think through the top 3-5 items you want to accomplish in the next year. Make sure it aligns with your vision, mission, values, and larger business goals.
Then you want to reverse engineer those items with the tasks, deadlines, and who is going to accomplish them to ensure that the work will get done.
Planning for 2025 and your Q1 early sets a clear direction, maximizes opportunities, and reduces stress. It keeps your team aligned and ready to tackle challenges, ensuring a strong start to the year!
Reply and let me know, have you started your 2025 planning as an organization?
If you don’t have an exercise you currently do for strategic planning, send me a message. I’m happy to send an exercise I do with my clients your way.
Ways to Work Together
If you are feeling trapped in your business and not experiencing the freedom you want, here are the two ways we can work together.
One-on-One: Ready to create a business that allows you the freedom you want? We are passionate about our custom solutions and systems for your business. Our approach takes your industry, your unique disposition as a business owner, and your emerging definition of success, and we develop a unique to you plan to move you towards loving your business again. Click the link above to set up a call identify your goals, discuss your current roadblocks, and to ask any questions about working together.
Business Roadmap: This is for the business owner who needs help on what the next thing is to do, and the next 5 steps after that. You don’t need another social media course, email funnel, or sales strategy, but a plan specific to you and your business. You’ll gain clarity on where your business is at, create a plan, you’ll know what to do and what to ignore, along with the resources you need. In the end, you will take that plan and implement, saving you thousands of dollars and years of headache.
A third way, and I know I only said two, but sometimes I can’t help myself. If you are feeling stuck and are in need of resources, reach out. I am happy to point you in the right direction and even provide an asset of my own to help you move forward.
If you find you are feeling overwhelmed in your role as a leader or business owner, and need to gain clarity and a path forward, scheduling a First Steps Consultation may be your next best step. Sign up here
Stephanie German is a business strategist, adjunct professor, and speaker. She holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and loves giving back to her community in a variety of ways. When she’s not coaching clients or writing about leadership, Stephanie is usually headed to the mountains or the beach with her family, drinking savory wine, or working on the latest project with her husband. Stephanie’s greatest desires are to raise up the next generation of leaders while raising her own children to be strong, independent, and brave. She lives in Fresno, California with her husband Blake and her three spunky daughters, Cara, Kinsey, and Peyton. She is the best-selling author of So Your Boss Can’t Lead?