“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
A 90-day plan should have:
- Focus (a broad goal)
- Priorities (more detailed goals)
- SMART goals (most detailed)
[note: a SMART goal = Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound]
Of course, coming up with these goals and putting them into action is far harder in practise than in theory. So, what practical experience could the BLT members impart…?
- In a team, video meetings (post-COVID) are a great for short, regular meetings to keep everybody accountable.
- Goals represent the difference between clarity vs confusion.
- Time milestones will help to keep your 90-day plan on track; e.g. Week 1, Day 30, Day 60, Day 90.
- When the focus is to attract new customers (as for most 90-day plans!), timeliness will differ according to whether you’re selling a product (e.g. oven) or a service (e.g. technology)
- Training is a great way of educating people as to the complexity of your service – it helps them to understand the value that you’re adding.
- Use the word ‘Workshop’ rather than ‘Training’ when educating your customers; it seems shorter, less complex, more approachable.
- New clients tend to initially want just a price – the training comes afterwards.
Conclusion
‘Start backwards’ with what you know is workable (be it video meetings, training videos…etc), then document that onto paper to make a plan out of it, rather than ‘blue sky thinking’ to come up with something which is unattainable in practise.
A 90-day plan is only worth its while if it is practical and realistic – a plan which is good on paper but unworkable in practise isn’t worth anything.
BLT
“What I really value is hearing other people talk about their businesses and how they approach common issues…it really helps me to reflect upon my business.”
Martin Capel-Smith, St James’ Place
We meet on the first Thursday of every of the month for breakfast @ 7:30−9.00am, George & Dragon, Marlow SL7 2AA.
No annual membership fees, no commitment, no discounts – just turn up and it’s £10.00 (including a tip) for a full English breakfast (other options available) with unlimited coffee/tea.
