There is a draw to a perfectly crafted, comprehensive business plan. I have fallen for this before. But a business is a journey. You do not know what you will encounter along the way, so you cannot know the entire path to get there. Trying to create a perfect business plan is, well, wishful thinking.
What is essential, is answering these two questions:
What is essential, is answering these two questions:
- Where do you want to get to?
- From where you are currently, what are the next few steps that you believe will move you towards that destination?
That's it.
Set the big picture vision for the organization. Not the goal for the next year. Rather the long-term target – the one that feels almost unreachable. The one that kindles excitement just to be a part of it.
At the same time, you must set the immediate focus. As as a team, choose the initiatives to focus on next. What are the most important projects that the team can and should accomplish in the next 6 weeks? Projects that move the company towards the big vision.
This is the hard part. Be careful not to get lost in detailed plans and projections. Though these are sometimes necessary, they are only mildly helpful and quickly outdated. Do not look too far ahead, you’ll make those decisions when you’re closer to the time. Less is more.
Big vision + small focused initiatives. This is a winning business plan.