Plan Before You Do: Why November Is the Sweet Spot for Strategy

Welcome, weary doers of the business world! Yes, we know when someone says “strategic planning,” a little part of you wants to skip straight to the “doing” part, the action, the thrill of getting things done. After all, why map out the route when you could hop in the car, pump the gas, and see where the road takes you?

Well, in the world of business, that approach is about as practical as heading out on a road trip with no snacks, a quarter tank of gas, and zero GPS—exhilarating for about 15 minutes until you're stuck somewhere you really didn’t intend to be.

While planning might feel a bit like the responsible-but-boring friend of the doing phase, it's the one who keeps your business from spiraling into chaos. Good strategic planning can prevent that deer-in-the-headlights feeling you get when “doing” starts veering wildly off course.

So, before you dive headfirst into “doing” all the things, let’s take a moment (just a short, very organized one, promise!) to strategize. Because even the best “doing” can't fix the missteps of a poorly planned journey, but a good plan? Well, that's the key to getting things done right.

This edition of Scaled gives you a clear roadmap to ensure that 2025 is the year you stop blindly “doing” and use strategic planning as your growth superpower.?

First up, imagine the strategic planning season as the tale of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”, but instead of porridge, we're dealing with timing. October, much like Papa Bear’s porridge, is a little too hot. With the final quarter still in full swing, there’s still too much happening: last-minute campaigns, end-of-year targets, and everyone trying to squeeze out that Q4 magic. Attempting to plan for the future while the present demands constant attention? Not ideal.

On the contrary, December is like Mama Bear’s bowl—cooled down a little too much. By then, everyone’s packing up for the holidays, indulging in a little too much eggnog, and winding down. Planning sessions in December tend to lack the focus and energy needed for a solid strategy; the room is half-empty, and let's face it, folks are mentally on vacation.

Then, there’s November: Baby Bear’s bowl—just right. The Q4 push is largely in motion, leaving just enough breathing room to pause, reflect, and plan ahead without too many interruptions. In November, teams are more focused, but not yet in full holiday mode, making it the perfect sweet spot for strategic planning.

It’s the month where you can settle in, map out next year’s big moves, and—just like Goldilocks—find that “just right” fit for making strategic plans that stick. Read on for why November is the perfect month for strategic planning.?

Next up, we’ve mapped out all the key components for a successful strategic plan. No need to start from scratch, we’ve got you covered with a field-tested template that works!

Lastly, Growgetter CEO, Jenn Mancusi, shares “A CEO’s Guide to Strategic Marketing Planning that Actually Works”. If you’re one of the many that continues to be befuddled by marketing, and particularly, marketing strategy, this blogs for you!

Here’s to PLANNING for a successful 2025!

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All the best!

Kristin Luck

ScaleHouse