Like many of our clients at the Grow Group, Grunder Landscaping is keeping a close eye on finishing 2020 on a high note, but also setting time aside to intentionally plan for 2021.
When setting plans for the following year, a common mistake is a lack of clarity. Clarity starts with a vision for success that is backed by a plan to achieve that vision. This is where it can get complicated. Many of our clients, including Grunder Landscaping, can clearly see and articulate what their goals are and where they’d like to be a year from now. They understand what they want to do, but thinking about how they’ll get there is overwhelming.
The easiest way to clarify your plan, and to avoid over-stressing your team, is to “show your work” like you had to on your math homework growing up. Prove that the plan is possible using math, previous data, and industry benchmarks.
We ask these questions to help build a vision and a plan to achieve it:
What is my sales goal for 2021?
What is the breakdown of that revenue? (Commercial, residential, construction, maintenance, lawn care, snow, irrigation, etc.)
How many trucks will I need to produce this work?
How many trucks will I need to purchase for 2021?
How many people will I need to produce this work?
How many people will I need to hire and retain for 2021?
How many of these people are crew leaders or drivers?
On average, how many salespeople will I need to sell this work based on previous history?
What profit level am I expecting to make?
Answering these nine questions now will help you dial in your plan and give you plenty of time to prepare for 2021.
Have a great week!
Vince Torchia
Vice President
The Grow Group
P.S. If you’d like to focus on strategy planning, join Marty and I for our Sticking with Strategy Virtual Workshop on November 19. In three live, one-hour sessions, we’ll share more practical tips for making your big goals a reality next year and break down strategies into three easy steps: plan it, do it, review it. I hope you’ll join us.