It's that time of year again - yep, planning season is upon us!
As we gear up for 2025, we want to share some of our all-time favorite questions that we use when doing strategic planning with our clients. Trust us, these aren't your average, run-of-the-mill planning questions. They're the secret sauce that'll make your 2025 plan pop!
Q1 - Why? (The Ultimate Show-Stopper)
Okay, we know what you're thinking. "Really? That's your big question?" But hear us out! This little three-letter word is like a Swiss Army knife in our strategic planning toolkit. You've got all these amazing ideas brewing, right? But before we jump on the "Let's do this thing!" bandwagon, we need to hit pause and ask: Why?
- Why is this important?
- Why now?
- How's this going to get us closer to our big, audacious vision?
It's so easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new idea (we're guilty as charged!), but taking a moment to really dig into the 'why' can save us from chasing shiny objects that don't actually move the needle. Trust us, your future self will thank you!
Q2 - How Will We Know If We're Successful? (AKA The "No More Vague Goals" Question)
Let's be real for a sec - how many times have you set a goal like "make more money" or "get more clients"? (Don't worry, we've all been there!) But here's the thing: when we're not crystal clear on what success looks like, we're basically setting ourselves up for a perpetual game of "Are we there yet?"
So, let's get specific:
- Exactly how much more money?
- How many new clients are we talking?
- How many hours do you want to be working? (Because "work less" isn't gonna cut it, my friend!)
When we nail down these specifics, suddenly our goals become measurable, and we can build a plan that actually gets us there. It's like having a GPS for your business - way better than just hoping you'll recognize "success" when you see it!
Q3 - What Do I Want My Role to Be in All of This? (The "Let's Be Honest" Question)
If you're anything like most of our clients (and let's face it, most entrepreneurs), you might have a teeny-tiny habit of trying to do *everything* yourself. Sound familiar? 😉
When we're planning, it's crucial to think about what YOU actually want to be doing. It's time to get real:
- What do you love doing and want to keep on your plate?
- What tasks make you want to hide under your desk?
- What should you let go of, even if you *could* do it?
As Certified OBMs, one of our absolute favorite things is helping clients clear their plates of the stuff they no longer enjoy or shouldn't be doing anymore. It's like spring cleaning for your business role!
Q4 - Who Can Do This Better Than Me? (The Ego-Check Question)
This one's a game-changer, folks! Instead of asking, "Who can I hire to do this?", try flipping the script to "Who can do this *better* than me?"
We promise you, there are always people out there who are better than we are at the things we should no longer be doing. (And that's a good thing!) This mindset shift brings a whole new flavor to the table. It's not about finding someone to fill a role - it's about finding someone who can elevate that part of your business!
Q5 - What If This Doesn't Work Out? (The Reality Check Question)
Now, don't get us wrong - we're all for big goals and positive thinking. But we're also realists (and we bet you are too). So let's spend a hot minute considering our options if things don't go exactly as planned.
Ask yourself:
- What if we don't quite hit our targets?
- How would that impact the business? Revenue? You as a leader?
- What's our backup plan? (Because having a Plan B doesn't mean you're planning to fail - it means you're smart!)
This isn't about being negative - it's about being prepared. And let's be honest, having a backup plan can actually make you feel more confident about going after those big goals!
So, there you have it - our top 5 strategic planning questions that'll set you up for an awesome 2025. But hey, if all this planning talk has your head spinning, don't sweat it! That's what we're here for.