Oct 15, 2018

Planning Executing

Are You A Planner Or An Executor? Both Are Vital, Though Execution Is Key

 

Entrepreneur and author Tim Berry once said, “Good business planning is nine parts execution for every one part strategy.” While for some, that perfect ten may be a different selection of numbers in that formula, the sentiment remains the same. Planning, preparing, strategizing. All of it is important in laying out the framework for any successful business. However, without action, it’s simply all ideas. Execution is perhaps the most necessary piece of your puzzle, and there are several reasons why. For one, execution brings any barriers to the surface, allowing you to rectify any glitches while they occur as opposed to simply imagining what issues might arise. Execution brings an actual product to abstract ideas, but most importantly it’s how things get done. If you’re unable to execute on one plan, then how can you possibly create others? For those who struggle with what follows after those plans, here are three steps to achieving that desired execution.

 

Make sure your plans are clear and make sense.

When devising a strategy, the “collecting phase” is the most important. Gathering materials, research, team members, and outside resources, are all necessary in order to lay the groundwork for what will become your execution. Have a strong focus on what it is that you plan to do, and have an outline drawn to show where the beginning occurs and what will mark the rough end. This way, when it comes time to execute, you will have a blueprint laid before you that will allow you to travel along a smooth road with as few bumps as possible.

 

Don’t dwell on anything.

This applies to every part of your pre-execution plan. Steer clear of long drawn out meetings, where action items fall lower and lower on the priority scale. Sometimes when there is too much talking, there is not enough action happening. You can speak with your team without taking too much time to continuously strategize. Make sure you have your priorities highlighted as well, scaling it down to only the necessities. Remember, you can always shift gears along the way, though executing a smaller number at a time allows for things to get done without a long list piling up with minimal movement happening.

 

Check in.

Once execution is underway, it’s important to return to the core and check in on your progress. Are things moving as smoothly as they can be? What were the margins of error? How can they be fixed going forward? Are more resources needed? Have the priorities changed since the last check-in? Doing these spot checks allow you to see exactly where you are throughout the production process. Further, if you’re still stuck on the planning phase during check-ins, then it will certainly push you to perform. Plus, knowing these check-ins exist, you will then commit yourself to hitting goals in order to create new ones. This is all for positive progress and the best kind of pressure to place upon yourself and your team. When planning becomes executing, that’s where the magic truly happens.