Mastering yearly planning: utilizing the scaling-up methodology

As we embark on a new year, it's crucial to approach our planning with clarity and purpose. Drawing inspiration from Verne Harnish's "Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It...and Why the Rest Don't," we adopt a methodology focused on key areas: people, strategy, execution, and cash. This framework isn't just a tool; it's a strategic guide that shapes our approach to the challenges and opportunities of the year ahead. I think it gives a great direction and might help you, too.?

2026 Brainstorm?

Our brainstorming session began with a visionary approach: where do we see ourselves in 2026? Beyond the immediate future, we strategized using 'winning moves' to align our focus and make informed investment decisions. The brainstorming was quite relaxed at this moment, with a literal feet-on-the-table approach. Imagine where your organization could be in four years, and let that guide your strategy.

A little side note: Incorporating this methodology extends beyond planning; it's also effective in our hiring processes. Sharing our winning moves with potential candidates instills a sense of direction and purpose, aligning them with our organizational goals from the start. This clarity has proven invaluable in rallying new team members behind our shared objectives.

Input from all teams?

Each team leader gathers input from their team, incorporating lessons from 2023 and suggestions for 2024 into our planning cycle. This collaborative approach includes preparing hiring plans, marketing budgets, and more before the yearly planning cycle. Setting growth targets based on past performance, like a projected 40% growth for next year, is also essential. Involving team members is crucial—they work towards these goals, and their motivation is key. Next to input from the team, we also receive input from our customer advisory board, and we value their input just as much.?

As you read this, take a moment to envision where your organization could be in 2026. How does that vision shape your current strategies?

The two days of focus

The next step includes revisiting our 2026 vision to assess our progress and align our immediate goals accordingly. A key takeaway from our previous experience – the need for specificity in our planning – guides our discussions. Following, we map out the specifics for 2024, including a central theme ("Grow UP!") and detailed quarterly objectives. This structure provides a clear path forward for the entire organization.

Team plan

Good to know is that post-planning, we communicate our vision for the upcoming year across the organization. This step is about ensuring everyone understands and is aligned with our direction. Each team leader then crafts a detailed plan tailored to their team's unique role within the larger strategy. These plans, once finalized, are presented to the supervisory board for approval, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive organizational strategy.

Visual representation

Finally, we develop a visual representation of our 2024 strategy. This includes our winning moves, annual goals per move, key numbers (including a critical number for us next year: 50), and quarterly themes with clear objectives. If we achieve our ambitious targets, the reward is a city trip to a European destination of our choosing—a fitting celebration for a grown-up company. This visual is distributed digitally, displayed in our town hall, and featured in our internal updates.

I hope my approach to the methodology helps create your plan for success; here's to a year of growth and success!

Cheers,?

Job?