AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY-A PERSPECTIVE

PLANNING MADE EASY - MANTRA FOR SUCCESS

From the childhood we have been advised that " Well Begun is Half Done " . In professional world and Corporate sector we are advised that "Plan Your Work & Work your Plan"

I have often observed that lot of stress and excessive work load is felt whenever any one is entrusted with the task or project which have to start with the 'Finalizing of the Plan' as a first step. This may be Co's Annual Business Plan, Financial Budget , Annual Conference or even Customer Meets etc etc.

I have learnt how to simplify the planning process which contributed to my success most of the time . I wish to share my experience that task of Planning is as simple as Planning a Journey { which every one does } so as to make the travel Comfortable and Enjoyable. I recommend to take following sequence of steps {similar to 'Planning a Train Journey' }to make your task much easier, enjoyable and develop the passion in you to succeed :-

>Finalize the Destination{Business Goal/Objectives}- To start with one has to decide the destination where he wants to reach and why ? Similarly you have to fix the Business Goal and identify the objectives after a detailed study of Business environment, Competition and the Future Prospects etc .

>Options To Travel{Alternate Approach/Strategies}- One has to shortlist many mode of travel eg Air, Road, Train, etc keeping in view Time required, Value for money, Similarly you have to identify the strategies eg New Product or Modified Product with Value Addition, Manufacturing or Outsourcing , New Technology or Diversification, Focus on Primary or Secondary Network etc .

>Travel Status{Market Positioning}- Like one has to decide and choose the travel status eg Economy, 2T,2T , 1st Class , 1st Ac etc to create positioning for self, similarly you have to decide in advance the positioning of your product / services if it is for mass or its premium to create the visible differentials

>Purchase of Ticket{Initial Capital }- To initiate the journey one has to create initial funds to buy the ticket similarly you have to plan initial capital or budget without which you cant think to initiate the task.

>Number of Passengers{Core Team}- One has to decide the number of co- passengers required to accompany on the journey , similarly you have to identify and finalize the Core Team Members who will join and be part of the task force to accomplish as Basic organisation to start with.

>Travel Time{Time Plan}- Like one has to know in advance the Time of journey to decide actions on arrival at the destination, similarly you have to work out the Time Plan to follow for accomplishing the task as it cant be 'never ending' job to avoid cost escalations

>Number of Stations on Way{Milestones}- To see the progress of journey one has to identify important stations one has to cross to keep getting closer to final destination, similarly you have to pre-decide or identify various milestones which will be part of Work in Progress from Start to End . These will become the Progress Monitor to ensure no shortcuts are taken and all S&P are followed.

>Alternate Travel Mode if Required{Plan B}- One also keeps in mind other options in advance if required in case there are cancellations, delays or disruptions to ensure to reach destination as per time plan. Similarly you have to develop Plan B and keep ready in event the situation so demands during progress of task.

>Date of Journey{Roll-out plan}- One has to decide the date of commencement of journey keeping in view various factors to reach in time to meet the objective, Similarly you have to decide the Roll-out plan after due delegence , swot analysis , cost factors etc to meet the Objectives with in Time Plan.

>Expense During the Journey{Working Capital}- During journey one has to carry adequate funds to meet planned as well unplanned expense to ensure journey continues without disruption to reach the destination. Similarly you need to have provision of adequate Working Capital to meet operating cost to ensure on going mission remains smooth, enjoyable and is successful.

>Sharing of Travel Experience {Debriefing to Core Team}- One generally share the travel experience to the respective family & friends which become the useful leanings which can benefits all concerned in their Travel Plans. Similarly you need to document all the steps including failures /successes , cost factors, difficulties during executions and make presentation or debrief the relevant group for continuity in future.

I hope I have been able to explain steps in the Planning Process and made it easier for you to follow if given the task to do .

UKJ

P