After a very long and warm summer in Seattle, the leaves are finally starting to turn. There is a chill in the morning air, and pumpkins are showing up in the stores - a cheerful orange reminder that fall is here.
As our cities have their seasons, so do our businesses. And for business - fall is the season of planning.
1. Strategic Planning - clarifying the goals for your business and making sure your activities are focused in the right areas. Now is the time to be building your plans for 2010.
2. Financial Planning - Projecting your annual budget for 2009, and planning for expenditures in 2010.
3. Time Planning - The last three months of the year are often challenging when it comes to staff productivity. Holidays will soon arrive, along with the potential for poor weather closures, and the onset of the flu season.
Even if you are not involved in your organization's planning process, you can still put a plan together around your department or career. And don't forget to plan for staff development in 2010. Think about the time and dollars you'll need to set aside to keep your workforce skilled and ready to excel - nothing is worse than needing to take some action with your team and lacking the resources to do so.
Fall is a season for planning. Let's lay the groundwork for an outstanding 2010, and then we'll be ready to come back from our holiday celebrations with a clear idea of what needs to be done.
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