We are all following a tight schedule with reminders popping up every few minutes to keep us on top of our task list. It is becoming a challenge to stop and reflect on where we are heading. This is because we are trapped in the daily management and execution of our business operations and all the issues that arise.
It’s time to stop and reflect on your route so far, the navigation tools you have been adopting and the resources you have spent to reach thus far. Are you still on the right track? Are you finding more pot holes and more obstacles in your way? How do these indicators compare in relation to the targets you have committed to?
It is time to Think, Map and Drive your vision forward.
Managing any business is indeed a challenge. You are continuously focused on the concept and product idea you have created. You are the subject matter expert and you thrive to perfect it and sell it. However, opportunities are not being exploited because you are focused on the day to day operations and managing the marketing mix single handedly. You need to adopt a Chameleon eye approach on your environment.
How close are you to your customers? How well do you monitor your competition? What are you learning from both? Market data and its analytical insight are key tools to help you map facts and drive actions to continuously improve the value chain of your product offering.
Orchestrating the value chain is not an easy task and this is why a collective strategic road map will keep you and your team aligned and on track. This map is a live tool that should be owned and changed according to the market evolution, customer trends and needs of your organisation. It should be seen as the mantra in the office. The strategic road map tool is a visual representation that will facilitate the communication of the vision and plans to all stakeholders.
One should start by organising a brainstorming session with the team. Choose an environment that is relaxing and different from your daily routine – go off site in fresh air. The more your team is relaxed, the more productive the session will be. Challenge yourself and your team to instigate ideas on your brand and other marketing mix pillars. No idea is a bad idea. Idea Generation is always kicked off with small ideas that are then morphed into big ones. Through such efforts, the team will feel empowered and part of the plan.
The recipe is quite straight forward:
- Shortlist the ideas during the discussions and map the priorities in a pipeline
- Logically start off by creating your strategic vision for the next 3 years
- Ask yourself, where are you now and where do you want to be?
- Group the ideas into 4 major pillars according to your priorities.
Design your road map – make it colourful and impactful. Clearly derive task lists and responsibilities with timelines for you and the team. Structure is everything. Double check that all team mates are on board before you hit the road again. Organise monthly alignment meetings.
By making this part of your culture, you would turn the collective strategic road map into a live tool to think, map and drive your business ambitions.