Our first meeting? It’s all about getting crystal clear on the challenges you’re facing. We’ll dive deep into your business goals, working together to sharpen our understanding of your strategy—no surface-level stuff here. My approach is to hit the ground running. We won’t waste time; we’ll frame your business, but more importantly, we’ll quickly uncover the gaps—the holes you might not even realize are there. Once we’re aligned on this business framework, we can begin sketching out several potential business plans. These won't be complex—just simple, actionable ideas to get the conversation started. Then, we’ll sit down with the key stakeholders to refine, test, and explore those plans. The first step? Alignment. Getting everyone on the same page is absolutely critical. Without it, nothing else matters. So we get aligned, and then we move forward—together.

Next up, we need to identify and select what I call the ‘decision criteria’—these are the guiding principles that will steer your decision-making throughout the process of developing your business plan. Sure, you’ll have your typical criteria like financials, but let’s not stop there. We might uncover other game-changing factors—things like sustainability—that could trigger major strategic shifts for the business. This phase often sparks some of the most important and thought-provoking strategic conversations. People start to challenge assumptions, clarify priorities, and, in the process, refine the path ahead. But here’s the key: simplicity is everything. I’ll be on the lookout to keep these criteria straightforward and actionable—no overcomplicating things. Because when it comes down to it, clear and simple decisions are the ones that move the business forward. So, let's make sure we’re not drowning in complexity, and instead, we stay laser-focused on what truly matters!

The final step in crafting a powerful business plan hinges on creating a Strategic Table. This table is a game-changer—it’s where all the decision criteria come together. I’ll start by offering a comprehensive list of strategies, ensuring that every team member is crystal clear on the selection process and the big picture. Now, here’s the secret: this isn’t just about high-level, polished ideas—I'm including some strategies that might seem a bit ‘out there’ or even ‘stupid.’ Why? Because they serve an essential purpose. They help clarify the process, force us to think beyond conventional boundaries, and keep us grounded in what truly matters. At the end of this process, we’ll have a table that not only lists these strategies but also ties them to specific selection criteria, empowering us to make that all-important final decision. And here’s where the magic happens—the strength of this methodology lies in its ability to drive consensus. It ensures that every stakeholder is not only on the same page but fully aligned, ready to rally behind the business plan we’re about to implement. It’s about collective clarity and commitment—nothing less.