The Art of Long Term Business Planning
- Morgan Hunter
- Jan 7
- 2 min read
Into The Shadows with Jon Reynolds
In this episode of Monster in My Closet, Anil and Morgan explore the art of balancing short-term and long-term business planning. Joined by Jon Reynolds, they discuss common pitfalls, such as neglecting future planning and overburdening operational systems. The conversation delves into practical strategies like thematic goal setting, the importance of systems and controls, and aligning organizational focus with evolving market needs. Jon shares insights from his leadership journey, emphasizing the significance of cadence, transparency, and risk management in driving sustainable growth. These show notes contain the following:
“Every day is a surprise party when you don’t understand your sales pipeline!”
Key Takeaways
Start with Themes: Identify a clear thematic goal for the year that aligns with company priorities. Example: Year one – "Build the Base"; later – "Experience First."
Cadence is Crucial: Establish regular check-ins (weekly, monthly, quarterly) to review progress and adjust plans. Consistency fosters transparency and trust.
Prioritize Systems and Controls: Implement foundational processes and technologies early to support scalability and efficiency, reducing operational friction during growth.
Integrate Risk Management: Balance contingency planning with identifying growth opportunities to mitigate risks and maximize potential.
Empower Leadership Layers: Communicate plans effectively to plus-twos and other leadership levels, enabling informed decision-making across the organization.
Focus on Incremental Gains: Small, consistent improvements (e.g., 30-, 60-, 90-day sprints) compound over time to drive long-term success.
Research and Statistics
Incremental Improvement: Studies show that small daily improvements (e.g., 1% per day) can lead to a 37% improvement over a year.
Employee Preferences: Recent surveys reveal that younger generations prioritize experience over salary, with pay ranking third in workplace values.
Cadence and Productivity: Organizations with consistent communication rhythms outperform their peers by 20% in overall operational efficiency.
Risk Management in Leadership: Research indicates that leaders who integrate proactive risk assessments into their planning reduce failure rates by 40%.
Suggested Reading
The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni (on thematic goal-setting)
Measure What Matters by John Doerr (OKRs and goal alignment)
Traction by Gino Wickman (business infrastructure and systems)
Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb (risk and resilience)
Articles on HBR.org about risk management and growth planning.
Wrap-up
Effective business planning isn’t about predicting the future but creating a framework flexible enough to adapt to it. By embracing thematic goals, consistent cadence, and robust systems, leaders can balance short-term wins with long-term resilience. As Jon Reynolds highlights, success stems from empowering teams with transparency and foresight while staying agile enough to seize opportunities and address challenges head-on. Whether you’re scaling a startup or guiding an established company, the art of planning lies in keeping one eye on the horizon and the other on the next step.
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