Today, we’re at the fourth part of our series, and we’re focusing on the quarterly planning process. If you’ve been following along, we’ve already covered the company mission, the long-term three-year and ten-year plans, and the one-year plan. Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the next 12 weeks.
To guide our quarterly planning, we draw inspiration from proven business methodologies, particularly the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) outlined in the book “Traction” by Gino Wickman. This system provides practical tools and concepts to help businesses achieve their vision and goals. We’ve adapted elements of EOS to create a structured planning process that keeps our team aligned and focused.
At the heart of our quarterly planning are what we call “rocks.” These are the key priorities or goals that we must focus on within the upcoming quarter. Think of them as the big rocks in a jar – if you don’t prioritize them, they’ll get lost in the shuffle of smaller tasks. By identifying and concentrating our efforts on these important objectives, we make meaningful progress towards our overarching goals.
We also draw insights from “The Four Disciplines of Execution” by Sean Covey, which emphasizes focusing on the wildly important, acting on lead measures, maintaining a visible scorecard, and creating a cadence of accountability. These disciplines help us stay laser-focused on our priorities, measure progress effectively, and hold each other accountable for results.
During our quarterly planning session, we reflect on the past quarter’s performance, measuring our progress against the goals we set. This honest assessment allows us to course-correct and refine our strategies for the upcoming quarter. We also use this time to identify and address any issues or challenges that may be hindering our progress.
One tool we rely on heavily is Asana, which helps us capture action items and track their completion. This ensures that nothing falls through the cracks and keeps us accountable to our commitments. Additionally, we hold weekly Level 10 meetings to maintain momentum and address any emerging issues in real-time.
The Level 10 meeting follows a structured agenda, starting with positive customer and employee headlines to foster a collaborative atmosphere. We then review our performance metrics, progress on quarterly rocks, and action items from the previous week. The meeting concludes with a focused discussion on solving key issues and a collective assessment of our meeting performance.
This quarterly planning process is the backbone of our operations, providing clarity, alignment, and accountability at every level of the organization. It’s a testament to our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. As we wrap up this series, we hope you’ve gained valuable insights into our approach to business planning.
Consider how you can adapt these principles to your own business or endeavors. Remember, success is not just about setting goals – it’s about executing them with precision and purpose. Until next time, have a fantastic day, and keep making great things happen!
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