Start Up Kids Line

Doing the Annual Business Planning

December 11th, 2008

It’s the end of the year! Already? Yes, yes, yes – already. I’m looking forward to a NEW year. We’re getting deep into the annual planning for 2009. This will be the first time we’ve really done the nitty gritty planning, month by month – with personal goals for each of us.

It’s been really really good for me to work with my partner on creating the master goals (the big financial one). Now, we’re in the midst of working backwards through the year from December towards January. Starting with December enables us to see where we need to be on the path towards our goals each month.  By working backwards, you can increment the steps and sub-goals realistically through the previous months.

Tip: Make sure you add important events to each month as  you make your plan. Include monthly marketing / development / release plans if applicable. Also include what you should be pitching (july could show “make holiday / gift guide pitches”. You want a map of everything that needs to happen each month in order for you to reach your goal.

I personally feel more attached, committed, and engaged with my goals than ever before, because we’re down to the level of specifics I’ve never been at before. I’m good at the high-level goals “want x number of reps by x month” – but then I don’t do the follow-through and plan out the work and time it will take to reach that goal. Until now.

I feel so proud of us…

I’m also doing a lot of end-of-the-year cleanup and organizing so that we can truly hit the ground running towards our goals.

          

Entry Filed under: Design Project Schedules,Planning beyond the collection