Strategic Planning

Midyear Check-In

hartmanconsultinggroup , , , ,
Image of three fuel gauges, one on full, one on half full, one on empty.

We are officially half way through calendar year 2025.  Have you had your business checkup yet?  Just like getting your vehicle serviced, your business also needs to be checked on periodically to make sure it is running effectively and achieving the desired goals.  You don’t want to wait until the end of the year to find out that you are way off track for what you intended to accomplish. 

Checking in periodically throughout the year allows time to make adjustments if things aren’t going just the way you planned.  Perhaps that grant request wasn’t approved.  Or your star employee left for other opportunities.  How do you reach your goals now?  Just like with your vehicle – if you wait until the fuel gauge is on E then you have to drop what you are doing and head to the nearest gas station – regardless of the time or expense.  But if you check your gauge regularly and decide to fill it when it around half full, then you have options.  You can go to the nearest gas station, or drive a few more miles to the next one that is less expensive.  Or wait until tomorrow when you are heading out that way anyway. 

So do your midyear check in now.  Where are you on your 2025 strategic goals?  Do you have the resources you need to reach them?  Are you on the right track?  Or do you need to make some adjustments to accommodate changes in your environment or opportunities?  Don’t wait and be pressured at the end of the year to use your resources inefficiently because you did not take the time to adjust throughout the year.  Get that tank filled today.

-MAH

Reflect and Plan: A Guide to Year-End Strategy

hartmanconsultinggroup , ,

Fall is a season of change as the leaves transform their colors. As we move through this season, many organizations are entering their last quarter of the fiscal year. It is a good time to reflect upon the successes of the past year and also to think about ideas for improvement in the coming year. It may seem like there is not enough time for year end close out and strategic planning. However, it is the perfect time to leverage marginal gains by adding discussions on future change as you discuss the past year results. As you examine your results from this year, add some time on the discussion of each item to envision how to take the action to the next level in the coming year. This can help your organization establish a strong basis of strategic planning for future refinement and goal setting.

It is as easy as 1-2-3.

1 – Review past year’s accomplishments

2 – Discuss how to improve each action in the new year

3 – Wrap up your current year reporting with your future year plan

-MAH

Strategic Planning During COVID-19

hartmanconsultinggroup , , ,

I hope you are holding up during this unusual time of COVID-19.  The impact is being felt across the board both personally and professionally by everyone.  First and foremost, be safe and well.

Secondly, how can this time of reduced workload and business demand be parlayed into a positive?  If your organization’s work demand has decreased, consider using this time to engage your staff in strategic planning efforts.  The benefits include keeping your staff engaged and active, and positioning your organization for a quicker start when this unusual situation finally resolves. 

Some key questions to consider:

  • What have we learned so far about the impact on our specific line of business with an unusual interruption?
    • Do we have a workable emergency operations plan?
  • How can the workforce be better protected if this type of interruption happens again?
    • Do we need to incorporate more remote/virtual work options?
    • How are employee benefits and needs impacted?
  • Can and/or should we modify our business model and/or offerings to:
    • provide service during this specific emergent situation, and
    • position us going forward with modified service offerings?

It will take a while – if ever – for business to “get back to normal” after this current situation abates.  Let’s take this time to reflect and ensure we are taking care of ourselves, our employees, our customers as best we can.  Also, we can use this time to reflect on lessons learned and how to evolve our business going forward.

Please stay safe and be well.

-MAH