What’s Your Plan?
I hate that question.
The underlying assumption is that you understand the problem, that you have a plan and you know what to do next. Because the question is so broad, even if it elicits a response, it is probably not going to generate action. It’s like when you are working on a major project that you start – but can’t complete – because it is too big and too overwhelming. Asking for a plan too soon is overwhelming in itself because there are too many moving parts, too many variables and too many unknowns.
Generally speaking, we jump to asking for a plan too early. Of course it is appropriate to ask for a plan; how else will we get the work done? We need a plan; a road map showing us how to get from point to point. Just like planning a vacation, we need a plan for: mode of transportation, timing, accommodations, needed supplies etc.
What would happen though, if you just decided you wanted to take a vacation and then immediately jumped to asking “what’s our plan”? It would seem foolish and annoying because you haven’t yet decided where you’re going, when you’re going, how you want to get there, what other family members may join you…the list goes on! As silly as this sounds, we do exactly that in business. We start forming an idea and ask for a plan before our idea is even complete. This creates unnecessary stress and is actually counterproductive.
Consider this: Understand that a plan is nothing more than questions yet to be answered.
Look at any strategic planning template; it is nothing more than a series of questions that need to be answered. Questions like:
- What is your vision?
- Who is your customer?
- How big is the market?
- Who are the competitors?
- What is your core value proposition?
- Where are you strong?
- Where are you weak?
- What resources are needed?
- What is the return on investment?
I discuss how to define the questions that need to be answered in my next blog. For now, simply focus on the fact that creating a realistic, executable plan requires you to ask the RIGHT questions!
Until next time,
Doug
Update: The follow up to this blog has been published. Read it here!