The 10 Step Strategic Planning Process for Small Businesses Who Want to Succeed

Post on 05-Dec-2014

268 views 0 download

description

It is hard for many small business owners to take a step away from working AT their business to work ON their business. This streamlined strategic planning process was presented by Ellen Didier of Red Sage Communications, the SBA's 2013 Small Business Person of the Year for Alabama. From SWOT analysis, market analysis, listening to your customers and employees, and naming your top strategies to take your business to the next level, this process can take as little as an afternoon but give your business the fuel it needs to grow.

Transcript of The 10 Step Strategic Planning Process for Small Businesses Who Want to Succeed

The  down  and  dirty  10-­‐Step    

Strategic  Planning  Process  for  small  businesses    who  want  to  succeed  

STEP 1: Gather your team

Off-site? On-site?

Full day? Half day?

Take turns leading

Get ready to brainstorm

STEP 2: Do SWOT Analysis 2 hours

Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

Refine your SWOT notes as you go through the next

steps

STEP 3: Look at Competitors

Do your research

 Websites  Print materials  Advertising  Ask friends, customers about

perceptions

How can you differentiate?

Do you need to add services or products?

STEP 4: Look at your markets

STEP 4: Look at your markets

  Are they changing?   Where can you sell deeper?   What are customers asking for?   Is there a better way to communicate?   Any market specific opportunities or

threats?

STEP 5: Ask your employees

STEP 5: Ask your employees

  What would make your job easier?   What would make you happier?   What are the top issues you keep running

into?   What do you think we need to do to get to

the next level?

STEP 6: Ask your customers

How would you rate our:

  Quality   Efficiency   Customer Service   Reliability   Communication   Integrity

Open ended questions:

  What could we do better?   What do you wish we offered in a product

or service?

And the bottom line questions:

  Would you recommend us to others?   How likely are you to do business with us

again?

STEP 7: Identify your Big Rocks

What are the top 3-5 things you can do that would take your business to the next level?

The Big Rocks Example

STEP 8: List tasks for each Big Rock identified

Big  rock  1    

Task  1   People  responsible   Due  date  

Task  2   People  responsible   Due  date  

Task  3   People  responsible   Due  date  

Big  rock  2  

Task  1   People  responsible   Due  date  

Task  2   People  responsible   Due  date  

Task  3   People  responsible   Due  date  

STEP 9: Meet regularly to work on and report progress

STEP 10: Repeat Every Year!

Download this presentation at www.slideshare.net/ellendid4

Please connect with me! www.RedSageOnline.com

twitter.com/ellendidier twitter.com/RedSageAL

facebook.com/redsage linkedin.com/in/ellendidier