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Plan on the Run is a new approach, a new way of thinking about Business Planning.

It doesn’t change the fundamentals but it does change the focus.

It ads some new angles and it’s easier for you and better for your business.

What’s the Difference and Why?

It’s not a method

A method implies a step by step systematic process, something very much planned and linear, with a definite procedure that you can pick off the shelf and follow A to Z in a logical fashion. Here's such an example

It’s an Approach

An approach implies a direction, a frame of mind, perhaps even a philosophy but not a formula of rules to be followed.

I’ve spent a lot of years working on my own plans and others, using the step by step approach to business planning. Some of them work … sometimes.

This approach isn’t yet another list of “do it my way” steps or a prescription

Traditional planning, the step by step approach, attractive as it is reinforces the myth that a business plan is a document or a hurdle.

Why Plan on the Run?

Planning is essential

Getting ideas and thoughts out of your head and onto paper is a great way of clarifying your thoughts and applying some rigour to them

Things change fast

Planning needs to be quick, flexible and sensitive to changing assumptions. It’s looking at long term directions, while managing immediate short term specifics.

Filtering opportunities from ideas

An idea is just an idea .. but opportunity is an idea you can implement, take action on.

So why is it better?

The simple fact is that it’s a living plan not a snapshot in time.

It’s Quicker and Easier

You start anywhere and just get going. By focusing on an immediate burning issue, a sales/marketing matter, an expense blowout, or a new or revised product launch. You do what you need to do first. (Not what the prescription says)

It gets results

It makes your efforts more efficient and enables you to better manage your business. You start with what you need and have, and you grow the plan as you grow your business.

It enables you manage change more efficiently

The approach pulls to the top those issues that are of most importance (not those that are the next documented step in the book)

It’s within your power

You don’t require someone to do the work for you. It’s your business it’s your plan, it doesn’t have to be big, it doesn’t have to be formally written or have specific steps like a recipe. It’s about what works for you.

It’s about being realistic

We really do need to be more flexible in our approach to planning so that it meets our actual needs rather than focusing on the recipe or list of next steps.

The Basis of Business

Regardless of whether you are a sole trader or a multi national there are three core questions that need to be answered if you are serious about being in business

Who are you?

This is your identity, your DNA.
What it is that you differently, well or better than others?
This is as much about who you aren’t, as who you are.

Who do you wish to connect with?

Your customer, target market the people or businesses who buy from you

What do you do for them?

This is the need you assist with, the service you provide or the benefit of doing business with you.

The Approach

Focuses on 3 steps

1. Assessment of where you and your business is right now

This is where you confront the burning issue, the stone in your shoe, that distracts you from implementing your plan.

We are about focusing on the reason behind the issues that annoy you and acting on the most important ones, right now.

2. The development of a vision for the future

If you have no idea where you are headed then ... yes you will end up somewhere you most likely don't want to be.

If that burning issue isn't being addressed then developing your vision can be most difficult

3. Action to make it happen

Small steps on a weekly basis with accountability and feedback are what's required.

Again like this process ... just 3 small steps. (3 steps per week = 156 changes a year)

Like a game of Aussie Rules

You can change this Aussie Rules analogy to soccer (football) or basketball, whatever you like.
Make the oval a rectangle, call it a pitch or field whatever you like ... the concept is the same

Where you are now = the middle of the ground (the score could be you are behind by one goal) = the blue dot

Your vision = a goal through the goal post with 3 kicks- the white line

In reality the white line rarely happens as the opposition surprises you by doing something different, something you never expected.

Your action = movement backwards and forwards across the ground. You loose the ball, get it back, loose it again. It goes forward and backward with 23 kicks and 14 handballs, until you get that goal.

This is Plan on the Run in action

It's not that you don't have a plan or that you don't want planning.
In this instance you want planning to be fast, flexible and very adaptive.

The goals remain exactly the same but the detail of the plan changes with great regularity.

For more information about this challenge complete the form below and I'll get back to you

Andrew Young

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