Welcome to a new year, filled with new opportunities. And what better time to set the stage for success than at the beginning? You’ve probably heard this kind of thinking in one or more quotes (e.g. Well begun is half done – Aristotle). In fact, these first few weeks of the year really are ideal to engage in a couple of key activities that will create momentum and pay dividends through the months ahead. Let’s run through a short list of ways to leverage this perfect timing.
Industry / Environmental Assessments: Over the years, I’ve come to believe “there’s an Association for everything.” This belief stems from the fact that in nearly 30 years of Strategic Planning consulting, I’ve always been able to find and leverage valuable information from at least one National or State level Association relevant to my client. And these Associations frequently publish an annual “Assessment” for their members containing a digest of the latest issues, trends, and emerging best practices in their industry or economic sector. These Assessments are usually released in the month of – you guessed it – January (sometimes even in December). Be sure to download the latest assessment from your relevant association(s) this month and review the content. (Let me know if you want help finding them…I’ve had lots of practice). Knowing the latest developments in your economic sector, and giving careful thought to the implications for your own organization’s Strategic Plan, is one of the most important ways to avoid obsolescence and embrace continuous planning.
Initiating Process Improvement Projects: Last month I included FY Milestone Reviews in my blog post of “December Tips for a Great New Year”. Since December is often the end or midpoint of a Fiscal Year, review of performance data at that point can point to the need for improvement in one or more core processes. You may have even laid the groundwork for just such an initiative by creating the team charter, measures of success, and critical team members, including those closest to the process. Even if you didn’t, now is still a good time to make those preparations and then hit the start button. Without the time off and distractions of the holidays, team member focus will be higher and insightful.
Begin Work on Feasibility Studies and Business Plans: Last month I also described how the year end is the perfect time to review progress (and delays) related to your current Strategic Plan. This includes checking the desired timing of important pre-work for capital investments, new service or product development, or any other major initiative that will require significant monetary funding. This pre-work sometimes involved preparing a Feasibility Study or Business Plan. If you are at the point in your Plan where this pre-work should be getting underway, January is great timing, for reasons similar to initiating improvement projects. It will be easier to garner the attention and obtain input from key subject matter experts, stakeholders, and internal resources (financial, HR, etc.), thereby avoiding delays in completing the Feasibility Study or Business Plan.
December is a great month for analysis and reflection…and even some preparation. January is great month for starting the work. Finding time for some key related activities in each month can go a long way to realizing success in this new year.
Have a great start to your 2025 and contact me with questions or if I can be of any help.
Jeff
I really enjoy working on Community Needs Assessments (CNAs). For me, it’s the critical starting point on the road to meaningful measurable improvement in the health and wellbeing of all community members. So, you can imagine how excited I was when one of my clients invited me to join them in a Podcast to talk about the CNA that we just completed.