Strategy

Dwight Eisenhower said “Plans are nothing, Planning is everything”. It’s as true today – if not more so – than it was then. Read on for our top tips on making effective plans.

Life is but a spreadsheet

“Life is but a spreadsheet”. Sad but true. Time on one axis, dollars on the other. The bottom right hand corner normally has a number, which is either good, bad, or an extreme version of one of those! If any of the cells is empty or incorrect, the number in the corner will also be wrong. The spreadsheet calculation is never wrong!

Planning is about just that; correct information leading to better decisions. That is why it is so important. Build the spreadsheet, fill in the cells and then massage it until you are happy that it is as accurate as possible…..you know you have to, so just get on and do it! Whether it’s a marketing budget, a media plan, or a home budget….they’re all the same.

Why is this good? Because it forces you to put ‘hard numbers’ on things. Not some airy fairy wishful thinking. It makes you make the hard calls early, meaning there might not be hard calls later, when the options are reduced. Narrowing the options in life is never a good thing. It gives greater visibility of what you can and can’t do. That is a good thing. Go on. Do the maths! In the end it is all that matters!

For busy people there’s not much worse than attending a disorganised, ineffectual meeting. To be sure you’re making the most of your colleagues’, clients’ or customers’ time, follow these simple tips to running an effective, efficient meeting.

Prepare! Prepare! Prepare!

As per the classic boy scout quote “be prepared”. Be prepared – people notice. There are no excuses, and you will get caught out if you, if you’re not prepared.

Prepare the agenda, the paperwork, and the room. Book the room you want 30 minutes earlier than you need it so you can get in and get ready without having to boot the last people out and rush.

Wipe the table so the room is fresh. Arrange the chairs so it looks like someone cares. Have the room ready at least 15 minutes early because people will arrive early and you must look prepared, rather than rushing to get your stuff together - people notice!

The sprint to Christmas has officially begun - and the race to the finish line is on inside HC!