Trending
In today’s business world, where change is rapid and unpredictable, the notion that long-term strategies are the key to success is being challenged.
Many companies have traditionally been taught to envision their trajectory five years down the line, designing plans that hope to predict and prepare for future outcomes.
However, this long-term focus often allows businesses to delay immediate results, leading to what is known as ‘hockey stick’ planning—an over-reliance on future projections with little urgency in the present.
In contrast, prioritizing a short-term focus can be the defining factor in being different and winning in today’s market.
I advocate “looking at your toes”, a strategy that favours immediate action over long-term anticipation. The real question should be: “How can I solve this problem differently NOW, so the benefits can be realized NOW?”
This type of thinking not only propels immediate benefits but also fosters a culture of innovation and adaptability. Innovating ‘in the moment’ brings tangible power, offering rewards and recognition that future-oriented thinking simply cannot match.
Seeking uniqueness five years from now holds little value if the present is neglected. Year 5 NEVER “shows up” the way you expected.
The essence of a short-term focus lies in emphasizing near-term results and disrupting the conventional five-year planning model.
The approach shifts from seeking ‘perfect’, long-term directions to one that’s ‘just about right’, execution-focused and adaptable to the uncertain, unpredictable nature of today’s business environment.
Adopting this mindset allows organizations to remain nimble and responsive to the unexpected.
Why is this shift crucial? Simply put, execution is synonymous with differentiation—a competitive advantage that is hard to replicate.
Winning in business equates to tangible results, and these are more predictably achieved through the relentless pursuit of short-term goals.
The future, in this context, is a byproduct of accumulating short-term victories, which collectively build towards long-term success.
The traditional planning model, on the other hand, is fraught with limitations.
It is excessively time-consuming, rigid, and costly, often bogged down by the pursuit of perfection. SWOT analysis, for example, frequently misses the mark by failing to incorporate a lens of uniqueness.
Instead of fostering differentiation, these models often result in generic strategies that lack impact and foresight.
To craft a short-term-focused strategy, adopt my Strategic Game Plan—SGP—process.
Ask yourself: “HOW BIG is your top-line revenue target for the next 24 months?” This includes breaking down goals into 24 manageable 30-day periods to maintain a sharp focus on execution.
Identify clearly WHO you wish to SERVE and HOW you aim to compete and WIN using my ONLY Statement.
This granular approach ensures agility and impacts actual performance as market conditions evolve.
My proven formula for companies eager to enhance their execution capability:
- Develop a game plan that highlights uniqueness and overlays the imperative of being different across existing planning methodologies.
- Strive for simplicity in processes, reduce unnecessary handoffs, and empower teams to act swiftly.
- Pay close attention to the customer engagement process—streamline it, eliminate friction, and optimize it for speed.
By doing so, businesses can realize tangible, immediate benefits, fostering a winning culture rooted in short-term success.
Related: The Power of People-Centered Hiring for Explosive Business Growth