How to Implement Your Business Strategy (First, You Need a Strategy)

Anyone in business knows that you actually have to take action if you’re going to grow. I mean, we talk so much about setting goals and getting organized and doing the research. But if you’re not going to actually do the work, then what’s the point of all that planning? It’s wasted time.

Having a business strategy is about your business. Your growth and forward momentum. It’s about getting things done, launching new products and services and scaling as you go.

But when you’re caught up in the work you need to do in your business, it’s hard to find time to work on your business. I know.

That’s why you need a clear plan of action and some tools in place so you can get down to the implementation you need.

Here’s the thing: you can’t implement a business strategy without a business strategy, right? So let’s walk through the steps of how to create your strategy so you can set yourself up for success.

Identify and prioritize your goals

Do you have a true plan in place? Each quarter, you should identify your strategic objectives based on the most important things you need to move forward. If you’re stuck in your business because you can’t take on any more client work (but you’re not making the money you need), then you need to focus on growth and financials. If you find that you’re constantly immersed in your inbox, you probably need to focus on operational efficiencies.

Know what’s most important to you and your business so you can prioritize each of your big goals. Then figure out what projects you need to complete in order to meet those goals.

Itemize the tasks that make up the actions or project

Next, you need to decide what needs to be done in order to accomplish your goals and objectives. For each project, make a list of the tasks that need to be done. Think of this as a big to-do list, but don’t get too hung up in the details. Brain-dump your tasks, then put them in a logical order.

As you’re creating your list, remember that you don’t have to tackle everything all by yourself. You can enlist the help of team members, or even hire someone to handle just one project or task. Heck, hire a project manager to manage the whole project! Part of the beauty of being a business owner is that you get to choose what you delegate and what you hold onto.

Broaden your focus

You heard me. So many “gurus” tell us to narrow our focus, and while it’s true that we can’t do everything at once, we can work on more than one task at a time. When you break up your goals into actionable tasks for each project, it’s easier to cross things off your list–allowing you to get more done, in a shorter period of time. So while you’re waiting for a response from someone on one task, you can get to work on another task.

Of course, focused action is the best action, so make sure that each of your tasks is small and manageable. Tasks shouldn’t require multiple steps over several weeks; you should be able to complete them in a short period of time.

Stay on track

What works for you when it comes to staying on track? An accountability buddy? A Trello board? A Post-It on your bathroom mirror? Whatever it is that keeps you focused on the few things that have to get done every day for your own business, do it.

I recommend creating a stand-out image or note and putting it on your computer screen, where you’ll see it every day but it won’t blend into the background.

You have to know what your goals and strategies are if you’re going to take your business to the next level. From there, the more productive and focused you are, the more your strategy is going to come together into something beautiful.