2025: Thrive or survive?
"Everybody's got a plan till they get punched in the face". Iron Mike Tyson.
Pretty much my favourite quote on planning, and a nod to the likelihood that "no plan survives contact with the enemy" - Attributed to every great general ever.
In the face of so much wisdom on planning, why is it then that I - pre the GFC (and perhaps you too?) was not that great at planning?
Here's my historic narrative:
- I don't want to be restricted to just one path
- I'll figure it out as I go
- I'm smart enough to handle any eventuality
- I'm a person of action, I want to get started
- I'll do it later.
Any of this seem familiar? If so, welcome!
This attitude isn’t uncommon. My experience is that over 50% of businesses lack a cohesive plan or strategy. If that shocks you, it was quite startling for reflect and share this.
For many folk 2024 was the annus horribilis of being in business. The recession was brutal for many (note the past tense). In many ways - 2024 played out as 2009 did.
I had a clear strategy in 2009; it was as simple as it was bold. I nearly faltered as the bank balance and my sleep dwindled. Luckily I stuck to it; the plans we executed in 2009 saw my business treble revenue in the next 21 months, and we shot to the #1 position in our market.
If you’ve suffered this year as many have, the temptation may be to write the year off and think - f&$k it I’ll deal with it next year. I wouldn’t blame you. It seems the easiest and most humane path. And when all you have seen is hardship, its hard to see the light.
However, in 2010, despite being surrounded by pain and destitution - mine and 1-2 others businesses grew fast. The economy grew by a modest 1%, but if your competitors aren’t looking for that 1%, they won’t see it. And if they don’t take their 1% share of it, you can take an outsized portion and see 20%, 30% or in my case, 50+% growth.
You know the adage: Fortune favours the brave.
It tends to over-proportionately favour the prepared. It is said that:
Luck is when preparedness and opportunity meet.
So—if you want 2025 to blitz 2024, a solid plan needs to be in place before the summer holidays.
Whilst I focus on Exit planning, the core of my work is to enable ambitious founders and owners build value in their business. That can be in the context of growth OR exit.
Hit me up to discuss how we could build a plan that sees you THRIVE in 2025!
Cheers,
Josh
