Making it Happen: Practical Tips to Make the Plan Work

Many of us have plans to open a business, introduce a new product, or offer a unique service. There’s a lot of anticipation at the start; many excitedly begin, but sadly, it often ends with just a verbal plan. How can we retain the enthusiasm and drive to proceed? Focusing on execution and transforming plans into reality has become the most challenging part.

Regardless of what stage you are at with your plan, make sure you catch up and join the ride by following these steps.

Initiate a discussion – reach out to friends and colleagues who might be interested or have experience related to your plan. Screen those who are willing to work with you and be a part of the development.

Brainstorm with the Team – Build your small team and devote time to gather everyone’s ideas.

Accept all possibilities – There is no right or wrong, no passing of judgment, just a free flow of ideas on how to build the business.

Listen actively – Share your thoughts and listen more to what others are saying; discern the essence of each one’s point of view. Ask questions and pay attention to answers.

Checklist of what’s attainable – List all the ideas and then have a realistic view of what’s possible and what’s not.

Review competitors – Find out if there are existing companies running a similar business. The intention is not to copy but to gauge success, see required improvements, and learn common industry practices.

Set the goals – Identify from the checklist what is really SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely).

Create a timeline – Follow a schedule so the project is not drifting in the dark. It may not be fair to expect drastic results in four months, or it may be too long to see conversions in one year given the efforts that came with it.

Recruit and assign the owners – Find the right people. Remember that someone has to take responsibility for each group of tasks and be accountable for the success or failure of every step. There is no reason for a blame game when everyone knows the exact mandate.

Create a written plan – Translate all the words into a written agreement so all the efforts are laid out with actionable steps.

Start implementing – Now is the time to execute the plan and make it work. Don’t stop at hiccups.

Monitor each step – See what activity contributes to the success of the plan and which one sets it back. The idea here is not to be disheartened by the weakness or even failure of a specific task but to realize what needs to improve.

Tweak what’s needed – Revise what’s not working and apply changes with the intention of enhancing the process.

Always remember why you started. Your goal is the beacon that guides you through challenges and drawbacks. Visualize your success and let it drive your actions every day. Break down your ultimate goal into smaller, manageable milestones to celebrate progress along the way.

Consistency is key. Follow your plan diligently, but also be flexible enough to adapt when necessary. Regularly review your progress and make adjustments to stay on track. Persistence and adaptability are essential for overcoming obstacles and achieving your goals.