11 Steps To Plan Ahead For Success in 2021

As this eventful year draws to a close it’s time to look forward to the next stage in your journey.  It’s time to review your 2020 businessplan and get your 2021 plan in place. So, allocate some time , once you’ve done it you’ll be amazed at how good it feels to have ticked this task of your list and most importantly you will have clarity.  To help you with the process I have set out a series of  steps for you to follow that will help you.

 

Start by Reviewing Your 2020 Business Plan
  • Look at what you achieved and what you didn’t. If plans were changed because of the pandemic can they be re-introduced, or are they irrelevant and need changing?
  • Celebrate the goals that you have achieved – don’t forget to acknowledge the role of your team and their achievement.
  • Do you have goals that haven’t been completed? Why was this?  Are they still relevant, if so be sure to include them in your plan for 2021.
Planning ahead for 2021 – start with the end in mind
  • What do you want your business to look like by the end of 2021?
  • What challenges will you face? Is your business going to be affected by Brexit.   What if there’s a no deal, how would that impact.  Do you need revise your plans?
  • How will the ongoing restrictions due to the pandemic impact your business? Even with the roll out of the vaccine it’s likely to be some time before these are lifted.
  • Who are your key customers? What are their needs going to be and how can you service them?
  • Do you have new products and services that you’re launching? Maybe you’re planning to target a new customer sector?  What marketing activities will you need to put in place to target them?
  • What plans for growth do you have? Think about the financial side of the business, do you need to secure a certain level of new clients in order to achieve your financial goals ?  Will you need to increase your staff numbers/skills as a result?
Quarter 1 Planning
  • Once you have set out your goals and objectives for the whole year, your next step is to prepare a detailed plan for the first quarter.
  • This step is vital to your success. This where you put the detail on the plan, listing the dates by which certain tasks need to be done and who will be doing them.   It provides you with the accountability you’re going to need in order to achieve your goals.

It’s important to see your business plan as a formal document which sets out your business goals, details how you are going to achieve those goals and has a timescale within which you’re going to achieve them.   It is a document, not to be filed away to gather dust, but to be used as an operational document to be followed and regularly reviewed.

Business plans are so important as they provide your business with clear direction and help you to benchmark the performance of the company.  If you’re applying to the bank for finance or looking to raise investment then you’re going to need one, similarly if you’ve decided to take the business in a new direction, then having a business plan will help you to keep your focus.

If you would like some help putting together your business plan for 2021,  then do get in touch.  Click kathybassett@actioncoach.com to send me an email, or give me a call on 07952 112432.  For more information on my business coaching services please click here