How to Write a One-Page Power Plan

Define your goal in measurable terms, list 3 or 4 strategies required to achieve this goal and list implementation steps for each strategy.

By Jim Horan

Credit: GaudiLab/Shutterstock.com

Business plans—you either love them or hate them. If you love your plan, it’s because it keeps you and your team focused. It is the tool that helps you hit your numbers. Hate your plan? You are not alone. Most likely, the process was too complex or you did it because it was a requirement from management. You had to do it in a rush and by yourself, and there was no time to think. Don’t have a plan? It’s most likely not for lack of trying. You probably started on developing one, but became frustrated.

If you hate your plan or don’t have one, read on to find out how to develop a plan to help take you to the next level of success.

Features of a good plan

First, your plan must be in writing and must be concise. Let’s be clear about why it should be short and in writing. If it is not in writing, you make it difficult for others to help you. When your plan is in writing—short and concise—it can be read in about five minutes. You make it easy for others to give you feedback and advice. Having your plan in writing also says you are serious about your business and want to be taken seriously.

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If you want a laser-sharp focus on how to make your numbers in the next 90 days or by the end of the year, write a One-Page Power Plan.

Business plans often become too complex when advisors try to plan for every aspect, opportunity or contingency in their business. Top producers and field leaders consistently tell me that their business game dramatically improved when they decided to become clear about two things: Who must be on their team in order for them to move to the next level of success, and who their ideal clients are and how to serve them.

These top producers also note that because they have a plan, they are no longer leaving the future of their business to chance. They commit to setting specific goals for the most significant success factors in their business and write one-page plans for how they will achieve these goals. I call these plans, “One-Page Power Plans.” OnePage Power Plans are highly effective because they focus on achieving specific results. There is a one-page plan for achieving each specific goal.

Writing a One-Page Power Plan

If you can text or tweet, you can write a One-Page Power Plan. Capture the major elements of your plan by using key words and short phrases. Don’t worry about being grammatically correct or fully explaining your plan in complete sentences. This will slow you down and complicate your plan.

The One Page process is easy:

1) Define your goal/objective in specific, measurable terms.

2) Brainstorm three to four strategies/critical activities that are required to achieve the goal.

3) List implementation steps for each strategy/critical activity. ppgyy