What’s ahead for your Business in 2011?
Guest post from the C12 Group - As we approach year-end in our businesses, we specifically want to do
two things: (1) encourage you as you look towards the next year and (2) exhort
you to think strategically about
2011.
Let’s begin by remembering that our God is sovereign, awesome and
limitless! Sure, 2010 has been a very
difficult year, at least economically, for many of us. Further, there remain many troubling unknowns
as we attempt to peer into 2011. Of course this is always true, as even
life itself is uncertain, but our God doesn’t change and He isn’t surprised or
limited by economic circumstances.
Further, He knew precisely that things would be as they are when He
chose to call us in our current places, roles, and at this very time, as His
Ambassadors! Remember… He will always provide all we need to do all He
wants, so be of good cheer! Press
on! If you’re in Christ, you’re in good
hands!
Second, this time of the year tends to be a bit slower for those of us
not in the retail trade and it’s a great time for thinking strategically and
planfully about the year soon to begin.
The value of stepping back to think strategically about our businesses
really can’t be overestimated. Even in
fast-changing markets where 5-year plans seem unimaginable, a solid plan for
the next year that’s owned by the entire team and reflects sound information
and assumptions is a priceless baseline.
In a time when so few plan, and so
many simply just react, taking the time to reflect even on just a handful
of the basic and critical elements of our business can pay huge dividends.
In our C12 group meetings, we offer each member the annual opportunity
to present their life and company’s situation and to share their business plan
with their peers for critical review and input.
The group acts as a council of advisors.
As a trustworthy personal board, fellow members give extremely
thoughtful and valuable feedback to the presenting member, reflecting their
collective experience and godly wisdom.
Many millions of dollars are gained or saved every year through this
process in C12 groups across America.
You may not currently be a C12 Group member or have a group of
trustworthy peer advisors with whom you can bounce issues and ideas
around. This resource is certainly
valuable in its own right, but C12 members are also greatly helped by simply
being intentional in taking the steps necessary to prepare to engage their
peers. C12 members tell us that properly
defining and framing the issues, problems and opportunities is a huge value to them
and helps to tee-up key questions and alternative solutions as a part of the
presentation process. Just thinking
through how they will present and defend their key issues and plans is a
powerfully beneficial practice.
Imagine that you’ll be presenting your answers for peer-review as you
think through the following key questions:
§
Given where you are as 2010 closes, where do you
want to be a year from now?
§
What has to change for this to happen? Increase sales? Cut costs?
Grow margin? New product(s)? Remove internal stumbling blocks and
obstacles? How?
§
Do you currently have the right people in the
right seats to enable this to happen?
Obviously, there are many more important issues and details related to
these broad questions. But for most of us,
a small upfront investment of time and effort here can net real gain. A brief, but well thought-out, plan is
exponentially better than no plan at all.
The reality is that if we don’t
change our direction, we’re likely to end up where we’re heading!
Labels: C12 Group
