Planning for 2021 – What is Important

Now that we are in the last month of 2020, it is time to look to the future and start planning for the new year. In light of everything that has gone on this year, there are important aspects of your business that need to be thought about and applied to your 2021 planning. 

Take time to think

Before starting your formal business plan take time to think about what you would like to accomplish in 2021. Put a wish list together of accomplishments and goals you would like to complete in the new year. Set realistic timelines to reach your goals and create a plan of action on how you plan to achieve those goals. 

Revisit Previous Business Plans

When looking at the future, it is important to revisit past plans as well as look over the founding principles of your business. Is your mission statement still meeting the standards you want? Are changes needed to accommodate your new goals and mission? Touch on your training, experience, the value you bring to the table. Spend a little time on this, as this will change very little year to year. This message will be utilized in part (or in whole) on most all of your marketing materials. 

Focus on what you can do

With this pandemic nowhere near its end, it is important to focus on what your business can do in this more restrained period of time. If your online sales have done far better than in-store sales, consider focusing your energies on your online presence. Take time to learn about your business’s key demographics and how to best market your business to those customers. 

Use 2021 as a building year

Use 2021 as a year of growth and improvement. Take time to implement plans on how to build and strengthen your business model. With 2020 bringing a lot of dramatic changes to the modern workforce, it is important to make sure you are better prepared for the future. You can also use this as a time to encourage your team to learn new skills and advance in their individual careers. 

Have a Back-up plan

With 2021 still being very uncertain it is crucial to have a plan in case something unexpected happens. If a shutdown is required again in 2021, it is important that your team will be prepared for anything. Have a plan in place for your team. Does each of your employees have an adequate home setup if needed? If the answer is no, make sure your team has the tools they need to work from home if needed. Having a back-up plan in place will make everyone on your staff feel more confident in your leadership as well as the future of the business. 

2020 has been tough for a lot of businesses. It is time to look to the horizon and plan for the future of your business. You and your team have been through a great deal and it is important to make sure you keep moving forward and start the new year with a clean slate and a list of new goals for success.