How to Make the Most of a Monthly CEO Day

A 'CEO Day' is a habit I’ve had since 2003 when I first became a Chief Executive, and it’s a ritual I've continued since I left to start my business. Why? Quite simply it's an opportunity to take stock of the month that's gone, and to make sure I remain focused on my roadmap (aka business plan or strategic plan) and haven't veered off track. Never have my monthly CEO Days been more important than during the past couple of years.

I first started the habit of monthly CEO Days because my job as a Chief Executive meant that I had to put together a set of detailed reports for monthly Board meetings. I got into the habit of booking out a day a month in my diary to work from home and go through the reports my management team had sent me. Having a day free of uninterruptions meant that I had the mental space to consider what these reports were telling me about the company.

I also used my CEO Day to review our strategic plan, checking to see how we were doing against the goals and milestones we had set. In and among the busyness of running a complex organisation, these CEO days gave me a chance to come up for air, to take a holistic overview of the business and to make sure we were on course to achieve our strategic objectives.

The beauty of these regular CEO days was they meant that the company never drifted too far from its strategic plan. Drift is a subtle but strong force which can easily pull us away from our mission, values and goals. And because drift can be so subtle, we can all too easily find ourselves out to sea, far from our intended destination, with an awkward journey back to shore.

Some people might think they don't have time for regular CEO Days. I view them as an essential part of my productivity toolkit. By working from home, I am able to focus, uninterrupted and free from distratctions, on the business. The productivity and financial benefits which came from sticking to our strategic plan have been huge.

This is a habit I’ve continued through to today. The only difference now is I like to find ways to make my CEO days feel a bit special. As minimum, this involves a slice of my favourite cake. Sometimes I'll incorporate the day into a long weekend as I did last December when I went to Lymington (in the New Forest). Other times, I'll book a treat to mark the end of an enjoyable and productive business planning session.

Hopefully by now you like the sound of a monthly CEO Day and are wondering how you can you make the most of the time? Here’s how I make sure they’re an invaluable part of my CEO toolkit.

1. Choose A Location

A change of scenery is desirable when it comes to having a successful business planning day. This puts you in a different mindset and encourages you to think differently. The key is not to work from the location where you are day in day out. This might mean booking a co-working space, going to the library or arranging a night away in an Airbnb like I do from time to time.

If you can’t leave the house, take your laptop into a different room and set up camp there. Light a candle or scent the room with a diffuser. Make sure you have your favourite drinks and snacks to hand. The aim is to make your CEO Days as enjoyable an experience as possible, and ones that you positively look forward to.

2. Create Your Own Rituals

I highly recommend that you create your own rituals to set the day up for success. This is a day for reflection, creativity and ideation. So, start the days with activities which get you into best possible frame of mind for working on your business.

I start my CEO days with a walk along the seashore, listening to a favourite Spotify playlist. At lunchtimes, I like to stretch out and boost my energy with a yoga practice. I wind the day up with a pampering treat whether that meeting a friend for a glass of Albari?o wine or a favourite beauty treatment.

3. Set The Day Up In Advance

I like to have everything set up in advance, in readiness for a productive day. I make sure that the fridge and larder are stocked with my favourite drinks, snacks and a nutritious lunch which I can assemble easily. There is ALWAYS a slice of a favourite cake or patisserie on hand to have with an afternoon cup of tea as a reward for a productive day.

4. Pprepare An Agenda

I like to prepare an agenda in advance of the day, with a list of the areas I intend to focus on. This, along with all my notes, is stored in Evernote. My agenda is typically divided into the following four sections:

1. A review of my results against my plans and targets.
2. Reflection on the month.
3. Planning.
4. Organisation.

5. Review and Reflection

I start my CEO day by reviewing my results. Typically, I go through:

• My financial reports and forecasts.
• My key metrics.
• The trends.

Then I pause to reflect on the month, asking myself the following questions:

• What were the highlights and achievements of the month?
• What activities brought about these successes?
• What didn’t work so well?
• What are the lessons I’ve taken away? What will I do differently?
• Is my business going in the way that I want? What would I change?
• Have I stuck to my roadmap?

Finally, I review my SWOT and PESTLE analyses to see what’s changed. At this point, I’ll probably pause to do some research and reading about any gaps in my knowledge. I’m always particularly keen to understand consumer trends.

With events happening so quickly, this activity is even more important than usual.

6. Planning and Organisation

The second half of the day is focused on planning and organisational activities.?

I go back to my strategic (business) plan to work out which projects I want to tackle next. I work on my editorial and content marketing plan. I book any networking meetings and events I want like to attend so that I get to two or three every week. And I decide who I’d like to follow up with during the month, and perhaps meet for a virtual coffee, paying particular attention to birthdays, anniversaries and other dates of significance.

Then, depending on what time I have left, I wind the day up with a few minutes of spring cleaning and decluttering, ready for the month ahead, accompanied by a favourite Spotify playlist.?

7. Celebrate Your Success

Finally, I celebrate my hard work with a treat: a mini-spa session, a yoga practice. Then pour myself a glass of my favourite Albari?o, cook myself something delicious for dinner and toast to my future success. Because now, more than ever before, we need to celebrate the good times and plan for a better future.

Conclusion

Monthly CEO days are one of the most important dates in my diary, and sacrosanct. This is why I go out of my way to make them as enjoyable an experience as I possible can.?They’re how I prevent drift and stay focused on achieving my highest priorities.

Are CEO days or business planning days, something you do? I’m always interested to read your feedback so please do take a moment to let me know in the comments box below.

About The Author?

I’m Denyse Whillier, and I was a Chief Executive?for 8 years, I spent 25 years in senior management and leadership roles and trained at Cranfield School of Management.?For examples of my work, check out?my?portfolio of case studies.??

I made the leap from corporate to founding my?boutique business consultancy and have worked with a wide range of small and medium sized businesses, many of which are purpose-led. My mission is to close the gender gap in business and make it easier for women to start, grow and scale a successful business without compromising their values.?

An experienced and empathetic business advisor, I’m always happy to talk you through how I can help. Use this link to?book a friendly (and free) chat?at any time.