1 Learn from the past year and build a stronger plan. Did you execute your plan well this year? Did you achieve your targets and goals? Learn from your victories and mistakes. All mistakes translate into lessons that help you develop a stronger plan for the new year.
2 Review your strategy and focus on your winning moves. Prioritize your strategies according to how impactful each one is and to your ability to execute. BioPlus, a specialty pharmacy, uses this process to identify their top opportunity and then get laser focused by making that their number focus for the year. In 2014, the company made a major breakthrough in their industry by developing and delivering on a 2-Hour Patient Acceptance Guarantee. No other specialty pharmacy offers this expedited turnaround as standard practice. In stark contrast, other specialty pharmacies can only provide an 80-hour patient acceptance turnaround, giving BioPlus a 40x advantage!
3 Build a destination postcard. Imagine it’s December 31 and you had a great year. Describe three things that made 2015 a significant year in the history of your company. Use this exercise to think from the end. Come up with a single destination (i.e. goal) for the company that everyone is excited about.
When AvidXchange, an automated accounts payable company, wanted to develop and launch AvidPay in record time, it used this process to build an inspiring execution plan for 2012. Its CEO envisioned launching the product in just six months instead of twelve and communicated this vision to his team. Using the destination postcard process via postcard marketing from UpSwell, everyone in the company got passionately engaged, broke down silos and worked towards this common goal of launching AvidPay in January 2012. AvidPay launched successfully on January 31, 2012. The launch generated $500,000 in revenue in 2012, and AvidPay has been integral in propelling AvidXchange from a $12 million firm in 2012 to a $30 million firm in 2014, growing at a rate of 100% a year.
4 Have a main focus and 3-5 priorities. Once you have created the proper context, confirmed your strategy and envisioned a successful year with your teams, discuss and choose the right priorities. Start by setting measurable targets and a main focus for the year.
5 Cascade and communicate the plan. Your plan is not complete until the people who have to do the work know their execution process and connect it to helping the company achieve its strategy and goals. Good companies plan at the executive team level. Great companies take that plan and cascade it among all departments and teams, engaging everyone in the vision of having a great year in the history of the company.
An annual plan provides inspired focus for CEOs, teams and employees while serving as the foundation for each of the year’s quarterly plans, as well as measurements of goals and objectives. Take action now by customizing these steps to get the most out of your annual plans and optimize success year-round.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
