[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.23″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ module_class=”table-contents” _builder_version=”4.23″ background_color=”#f3f2f6″ custom_padding=”25px||25px||true|false” sticky_position=”top” sticky_limit_bottom=”section” sticky_position_tablet=”top” sticky_position_phone=”none” sticky_position_last_edited=”on|desktop” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ border_radii=”on|24px|24px|24px|24px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23″ text_font=”||||||||” global_colors_info=”{}” background__hover_enabled=”on|desktop”][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_2_font_size=”32px” hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_2_font_size_phone=”26px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Strategic plans write down what your business is and what you want to achieve. It is an expression of purpose, process, and goals wrapped into a document. The problem with strategic plans, however, is that for small businesses, owners rarely have the time or the resources to commit to them. When ideas and concepts meet reality, sometimes things don\u2019t go as planned.<\/p>\n
But strategic plans are important: they give you focus, purpose, and direction. So let\u2019s look at how to develop a strategic plan for your small business that you will actually use.<\/p>\n
A strategic plan is a statement of your business\u2019s vision, purpose, goals, and strategies. To create one, incorporate these five elements:<\/p>\n
You can also think of these elements as the who, why, what, when, and how of your business.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/JOB250605-Website-2025-Blog-graphics-Strategic-planning-1.png” alt=”Strategic Planning Checklist” title_text=”JOB250605 Website 2025 Blog Graphics Strategic Planning (1)” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Once you have filled these out for your business, you’ll have a strategic plan. Theoretically, you should review it every 6 months to track your progress and identify areas for pivoting. There is good value in a strategic plan, but the realities of running a business can throw any good plan into disarray. The trick to a successful strategic plan is to simplify and take the business concepts that work for you.<\/p>\n
Before committing to creating a strategic plan for your business, it is important to understand the difference between a strategic plan and a business plan. A business plan is an operational document that focuses on the details of how a business will conduct its activities.<\/p>\n
A Business plan comes after a strategic plan has been completed. Think of a strategic plan as a map outlining your destination and a business plan as the compass to help you get there.<\/p>\n
Now that we know the difference, let\u2019s go ahead and create a strategic plan for your business.<\/p>\n
The five elements that comprise a strategic plan are just a variation of the building blocks of a story:<\/p>\n
Who > Why > What > When > How<\/strong><\/p>\n OR<\/p>\n Vision = Who<\/strong> Instead of getting lost in the process of creating a strategic plan, you are simply telling the story of your business with clear, defined points. Let\u2019s look at an example.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Scenario” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#0a004a” background_color=”#eeecff” custom_padding=”30px|30px|30px|30px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The go-to lawnmower man for the greater Penrith\/Emu Plains area. No lawn is too big!<\/p>\n Offer lawn care services to help people achieve the home and outdoor space they want. We help people take pride in where they live.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n This example demonstrates that strategic planning doesn\u2019t need to be hard. To sustain the growth of a small business<\/a>, you just need to identify goals and deliver value to your customers and clients.<\/p>\n Your strategic plan is your road map. Sticking to it is essential to achieving the goals you have laid out for yourself and your business.<\/p>\n Oftentimes, a strategic plan is made with a great deal of effort only to be left collecting dust in a desk drawer. Periodically reviewing your strategic plan ensures that the effort aligns with what you originally set out to do. When reviewing your strategic plan, consider whether everything is going as planned or if you need to adjust or pivot.<\/p>\n A good review of your strategic plan starts with a SWOT analysis. SWOT stands for:<\/p>\n By using SWOT, you can properly evaluate how well your business sticks to the strategic plan. Utilise your tools to review, set up calendar appointments, and lock in time for review.<\/p>\n Rarely does any business succeed on its own. Engaging in conversations or consultations with like-minded business owners, financial managers, bookkeepers, and accountants<\/a> provides you with insights from people who have navigated similar challenges.<\/p>\n If someone you trust becomes invested in your plan, it will increase the chances that you stick to it. You will also have the opportunity to learn and grow your business through developing connections with other business owners and communities. With this in mind, check out any local business resources in your area.<\/p>\n Keeping your strategic plan in plain sight is a simple yet effective way to incorporate your strategic planning in everyday workflows. This doesn\u2019t mean you have a written document stuck to the wall: visualise your strategic plan.<\/p>\n Create a poster or card that you can print and display on your dashboard or hang up. Visualising your goals, purpose, and objectives will make your strategic plan second nature.<\/p>\n The KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) principle may be the single greatest piece of advice you can use to divide challenges into easy-to-digest segments. By breaking things down into actionable steps and keeping your approach simple, you reduce the chance that you will throw out your plan.<\/p>\n In our example, the answers to the five elements of a strategic plan were kept in one to two-sentence answers by design. Being concise and to the point keeps you focused on your tasks and makes them manageable, giving you the best chance for success.<\/p>\n Sticking to your strategic plan requires discipline; it is easy to fall into the habit of going through the motions. The benefit of a strategic plan is that it provides more than just direction, but also inspiration to work towards your goals. A strategic plan should remind you why you are in business in the first place. So, create and commit to a strategic plan for your small business and make sure you have the right tools<\/a> to make sure that you reach your destination.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][ba_social_share icon_bg=”#03002e” icon_padding=”10px|12px|10px|12px|true|true” layout=”classic” show_text=”off” btn_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” btn_bg_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”50px||||false|false” custom_padding=”25px||||false|false” custom_css_before=” content: %22SHARE THIS%22;|| font-size: 16px;|| font-weight: 700;|| line-height: 22px;|| letter-spacing: 0em;|| text-align: center;|| color: #ff5447;|| margin-bottom: 10px;|| display: inline-flex;|| position: absolute;|| margin-top: 10px;” border_width_top_main=”1px” border_color_top_main=”#e4e4e4″ border_radii_icon=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_before_last_edited=”off|desktop”][ba_social_share_child _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/ba_social_share_child][ba_social_share_child network_type=”facebook” _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/ba_social_share_child][ba_social_share_child network_type=”linkedin” _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/ba_social_share_child][ba_social_share_child network_type=”email” _builder_version=”4.23″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/ba_social_share_child][\/ba_social_share][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Developing a strategic plan for your business can be challenging. Learn how you can make a plan that your small business will stick to.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":296599,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Tired of success? Sick to the back teeth with all talk of stability and strong cash flow? Dreading strong growth, healthy profits, and excellent brand recognition? Then listen up! It\u2019s time to run your business right into the dirt.<\/p> It\u2019s easy, let\u2019s get you started.<\/p> One of the best ways to ruin your business beyond repair is to ignore reporting. When you use business tools like accounting software to run reports on cash flow<\/a>, COGS<\/a>, budget forecasting<\/a> and accounts receivable<\/a>, you gain actionable insights through hard data.<\/p> Instead of steering your business on gut feel, running reports, and then taking the information onboard will help you make better business decisions. We can\u2019t have that.<\/p> Old websites are good websites. If you really want to curb your capacity for growth and profits, you should never update your website.<\/p> Ensure you have:<\/p> By keeping your website stuck firmly in the early 2000s you will make great progress in diminishing your business and becoming unappealing to customers.<\/p> Don\u2019t ever listen to your customers or request feedback. What would they know?<\/p> Understanding feedback leads to a deeper understanding of your client base and increases your capacity to make your customers happy<\/a>.<\/p> When you ask for feedback and then act on it to make changes to your business model, you may run the risk of making and retaining more customers and increasing your profits. Avoid at all costs, (as this will only make your business stronger and more resilient<\/a>.)<\/p> Nobody knows more than you, so never ask for advice or consult with a business advisor. Business advisors are adept professionals, skilled in analysing your data and making sage suggestions on how to improve many facets of your business.<\/p> Business advisors and accountants can help you:<\/p> Such professional advice and assistance will only lead to a healthier business geared toward growth.<\/p> If you\u2019d like to generate a tight ball of stress in your chest and make hasty decisions, you\u2019re best off leaving everything until the very last minute. Wait until the final chance to do your:<\/p> If you plan and work toward getting tasks done with a calm mind and a chance to do things consciously and correctly, you\u2019re only going to run a tighter ship.<\/p> Another surefire way to erode your business is to muddle up your personal and business finances<\/a>. By using business funds for personal purchases and paying for business expenses with personal accounts you\u2019ll generate a wild financial tangle.<\/p> This nest of interwoven finances will make it an absolute nightmare to tease out your real financial position and truly mess with your reporting and tax compliance. So, if you want to spend inordinate hours trying to separate your business finances<\/a> down the track, go right ahead and make it nice and messy.<\/p> If you want to run your ship into a reef, make sure you never adjust course.<\/p> There are a lot of successful business owners out there who keep a finger on the pulse, research the market, listen to feedback, and interpret data to adjust their offerings and business models.<\/p> These business owners tend to benefit from avoiding obsolescence and will make shifts to correspond to the changing tastes of their customers and prevailing market conditions.<\/p> If you want to see diminishing returns, however, don\u2019t be like them \u2013 just remain static.<\/p> Another fantastic way to damage your business is to take employees for granted. It\u2019s often said that a business is only as good as its employees<\/a>, so take advantage of that and neglect your staff. Nothing will demotivate an employee faster than neglect.<\/p> A few ways to do this include underpayments, never giving praise or encouragement, fostering a negative work culture<\/a>, never offering training or education<\/a>, deploying a harsh and unforgiving attitude, and having a general lack of respect. Your business will be suffering in no time!<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[343],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-296066","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insights"],"yoast_head":"\n
Mission Statement = Why<\/strong>
Goals = What<\/strong>
Objectives = When<\/strong>
Action Plan = How<\/strong><\/p>\nStrategic Plan Small Business Example: Lawnmower Ben<\/h3>\n
Vision (Who):<\/h4>\n
Mission (Why):<\/h4>\n
Goals (What):<\/h4>\n
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Objectives (When):<\/h4>\n
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Action Plan (How):<\/h4>\n
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Tips on how to stick to your Strategic Plan<\/h2>\n
Review your plan periodically<\/h3>\n
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Consult with a business manager<\/h3>\n
Make your strategic plan visible<\/h3>\n
Break it down in simple terms.<\/h3>\n
Committing to your Strategic Plan<\/h2>\n
1) Ignore reporting<\/h2>
2) Neglect your website<\/h2>
3) Don\u2019t ask for customer feedback<\/h2>
4) Do it all yourself and never ask for advice<\/h2>
5) Leave everything until the last minute<\/h2>
6) Mix up your personal and business finances<\/h2>
7) Never adjust course<\/h2>
8) Create hostile relationships with your employees<\/h2>