“Planning” is a good thing to do, right? So why don’t we plan? Why do the plans we create get left on the shelf?
This discussion explores these basic but essential questions:
• Why don’t we plan?
• What are the benefits of planning?
• What are some simple steps to better plans and planning?
5. plan
/plan/
noun
1. a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something.
synonyms: procedure, scheme, strategy, idea, proposal,
proposition, suggestion, action point
2. an intention or decision about what one is going to
do.
synonyms: intention, aim, idea, intent, objective, object,
goal, target, ambition
7. Why don’t we plan?
• It’s hard
• We don’t know what to do
• It takes too much time
• We don’t see the benefit or value
• No one follows the plan so why bother?
• We’d like to plan but the boss/CEO/team is
not interested
9. What are the benefits of planning?
• Forces you to answer difficult questions
• Establishes direction and focus, counters
shiny object syndrome
• Collects and documents info useful to
bankers, investors, potential partners
11. What are some simple steps to better plans and
planning?
• Engage others…collaborate
• Listen
• If needed, go it alone
• Be realistic
• Focus, prioritize
• Adapt to your environment
• Live your plan; don’t give up
