HOW ABOUT HAVING A STRATEGIC ROADMAP IN YOUR BUSINESS?
As it already occurred to you that things are better expressed when they are understood perfectly? Maybe the link between “well expressing things” and a roadmap is a little blurry for now. But stay with me and I will explain it all to you in a minute. Ask yourself this: how is it that business owners often fail to produce a decent roadmap before putting themselves out there?
WHY CONSIDER A ROADMAP FOR OUR BUSINESSES?
Let us assume that, running a business is like climbing a mountain. Would we even think of engaging in mountain climbing without thoroughly preparing a roadmap? Nonsense and reckless attitude right!?
We would of course go into all the details of the mountain itself. Of course, we would necessarily check all the routes and ascension options available. It is certain that we would invest in the right equipment and make sure to have the right tools for each potential issue along the journey. And because enjuries are out of the question, we would make sure to have the right training and physical condition to venture in that climbing project.
We would have a thorough roadmap! Because this is one of the fundamentals of survival up there. Before climbing a mountain, it is compulsory to anticipate one’s needs, the obstacles and even the rewards etc…
Because indeed, such an adventure must be fun, and rewarding.
Going on such an adventure means that we either do that for self-accomplishment, or because we need to prove a point to other people. Only a compelling reason could push someone to live their own life off paved ways.
And I guess the whole point, at the end of the day, is to come back from the “off-road adventure” and prove the world wrong, right?! Hence the thorough preparation
IS IT FAIR TO COMPARE RUNNING A BUSINESS AND CLIMBING A MOUNTAIN?
I guess it is. Definitely! Let’s be clear. We do have an ulterior motive to become entrepreneurs…
Otherwise, we are better off giving away for free, the opportunities we have identified!
Making the decision to go with the entrepreneurial option means that there is one specific goal that we intend to achieve. And to get there, we believe we need the frame of a formal corporation.
Though, since our personal goals are not necessarily those of others, we need to find some consensual goals, meaningful enough to capture stakeholders’ attention, time and energy.
Read the article https://nd-consultant-group.com/entrepreneur-how-to-motivate-coworkers/
Going from an opportunity to actual cash in our pockets, requires some preparation, focus, determination, skills and a lot of energy.
Just like climbing a mountain!
WHAT ABOUT “EXPRESSING CORRECTLY THINGS WE PERFECTLY UNDERSTAND”?
A roadmap comprises five big sections of equal importance.
- The objective to achieve and values that support it
- Structuring goals to ensure the business is an undisputed success
- All the strategies we have imagined, to achieve our goals
- The full scope of means and resources for production and go to market
- The timeframe, and of course the technical and soft skills to run the business daily.
If we are missing one, the others cannot be completed properly. Each section helps us understand perfectly our market, our customers, our competition, along with our ability to address our market needs and expectations.
In other words, the roadmap will make us dive deep into the heart of our opportunity and capabilities.
This is how we become the experts of our own business. This is how, we are the best persons to talk about our businesses. Because we know it inside out. We understand how things are done and what needs to be done, even if we are not the ones doing them.
The take-away here is about understanding the tasks and being capable of setting up the right environment to have them executed accordingly by the actual experts.
In a perfect world, this is how we should initiate and run a successful business.
SO, HOW IS IT DONE? WHAT MAKES A SOLID ROADMAP?
A good roadmap, must be practical. Its ultimate purpose is to help managers run the business in the most efficient way. A good roadmap provides knowledge about resources required and available, the time frame and the landing targets of each division of the corporation.
It is important to know upfront, what one expects their business should produce, and why. Knowing the destination will determine what needs to be gathered in order to get there.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON THE SUBJECT:
- PWC Strategy that works https://youtu.be/n-akeozQnZk
- Also view https://youtu.be/P0MF5hbdfdI
- Also read: ND Consultant Strategic planning white books