Controlling the Controllable

Navigating External Challenges

Market volatility, political uncertainty, competitive forces, and various external dependencies are facts of life for a knowledge-for-profit professional.

It would be great if the world cooperated with our plans on a consistent basis, but that is not the way it is. That's why clients hire you. Your ability to deal with this reality is a major factor that separates the best from the rest.

The Role of Strategic Planning

Strategic planning is the first step in focusing that ability. As with your clients, there is a sea of noise competing for your attention, and the velocity and volume increase every year.

A strategic planning process lets you tune out the static and improve the signal-to-noise ratio. This ensures that you focus on what matters, the things you have control over and that have real importance, so you can move in the direction of your vision for the future, relying less on hope and more on process. It gives you the guide you need to begin constructing something of greater value.

The Puzzle Analogy

Have you ever tried to assemble a jigsaw puzzle without the picture as a reference to guide you? It can be done through trial and error, but it takes far longer and is far more frustrating without a frame of reference.

A personalized strategic plan serves as your guide as you put the pieces of both life and business together.

Questions to Refocus Your Strategy

• Have you created an Annual Strategic Plan for the coming year, or do you need to make refinements to an existing one?
• What can be done to bring you back on track?
• Have you shared your plan with your team so they understand their role in helping you achieve it?
• What needs to be adjusted in your business activities to ensure the desired outcomes?
• What changes have to be implemented with your clients?

Cause and Effect: Staying on the Right Track

A strategic plan can help you make critical observations about the track you are on, based on the Law of Cause and Effect, to ensure that you're engaged in the activities that contribute to your productivity goals.

It can help you identify untapped opportunities and overlooked vulnerabilities, so you take action accordingly.

The key is to apply a process, and not go through that process in isolation.