Happy New Year! Many are now executing on their new year’s resolution or solidifying a theme for 2025. Along with that, I’m sure your company has committed to some form of strategic planning.
Three “how” questions for you:
- How would you rate your plans clarity of purpose?
- How bought in is your entire team to this process?
- How confident are you that the plan will satisfy your goals?
If that is not 3 solid 9 or 10’s across the board, please keep reading!
Strategic planning is one of the most critical exercises for any organization, yet it’s often underappreciated. From my experience working with teams across the global seed sector, I’ve learned that a great plan has three key touchstones:
1. Empowering Your Team. The best plans don’t just live in a document; they live in your people. A truly effective strategy isn’t about pushing your vision top-down but about engaging your team in a way that makes them feel ownership. Are they empowered to take action? Are they equipped to make decisions that align with the company’s goals?
2. Building Strategic Relationships. In today’s interconnected world, no company thrives in isolation. Strategic relationships — whether with customers, suppliers, or even competitors — are the backbone of long-term success. Does your plan actively seek to strengthen these relationships? Or is it just another to-do list, disconnected from the bigger picture?
3. Making Data-Driven Decisions. Is your plan rooted in actionable data? Or is it based on gut feelings and assumptions?
I’ve learned that bringing in an external perspective can be a game-changer. When you’re too close to a project, it’s easy to mistake opinions for facts. A good facilitator challenges these assumptions, ensuring your decisions are built on a foundation of solid data and clear thinking.
But strategic planning isn’t just about what you focus on — it’s also about what you choose not to focus on. The most critical step, that is often missed, is being clear about what you are not going to focus on. It’s about saying no to good ideas so you can say yes to great ones.
