If I asked you to open up your calendar and show me what you have planned for the week of January 4, 2016, what would I see? Some of you have been preparing for January 4th for months – the first business day of the New Year. In fact, when you look at your plans you can’t wait. You’re filled with anticipation and excitement. You’re ready and January 4th can’t come soon enough.
Others of you haven’t thought about this day yet, not even for one second. There’s nothing on your calendar. When you think of the start of a New Year, you’re filled with anxiety and worry. The fact of the matter is that you’re not ready and January 4th is going to come way too soon.
What does it mean to be ready? That’s a great question. Being ready involves having a clear plan for 2016 involving your strategic direction, goals, projects, accountabilities and tracking systems. The plan is not only clear, but has been communicated – rolled out – and is being implemented by everyone in the company. The plan involves a bunch of smaller plans for financials, operations, customers, equipment, marketing, sales, facilities, technology and more.
Why aren’t all companies ready? That’s another great question. Only the best companies take the time to invest in creating, clarifying and communicating such plans. The rest wing it and hope for the best. It’s really a question of commitment. How badly do you want to win? That’s an even better question to ask.
What should I do if my company isn’t ready? It’s never too late to get started on a new path. If your company hasn’t made the commitment yet to an ongoing planning process, today is the best day to start doing so.
As 2015 winds down, take a quick pause to answer the question, “Are you ready?”
Now go forth.
