Hello World
Welcome to this, the inaugural edition of Josh’s Journal.
I’ve received many, many requests based on my LinkedIn “rants” to do a newsletter, so this is the start of my journey.
Why are you receiving it? Well, we’ve met, chatted on LinkedIn or exchanged other digital pleasantries; I hope the invitation is welcomed. If not, by all means hit that unsubscribe button - I won’t take it personally!
My intention is to share fortnightly inspiration and insights; garnered through my quest for growth and assisting others on their own journey as entrepreneurs, leaders, and becoming better human beings.
Let’s dive in…
Josh
“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.”
– Nido Qubein
A tool I love: My personal planning template
As it’s the first newsletter and the start of the year, I’m including my own personal planning template. I love the notion of a one-page canvas-style approach to organising your thoughts. It forces focus through brevity and its simple elegance makes execution more likely to occur.
This is a Google Docs template complete with notes for implementation - all you need to do is make an editable copy of it for yourself.
Top 5 overlooked (or undercooked) aspects of strategy
It’s the time of year to form or begin executing your business strategy. I’ve conducted this exercise for my own businesses and worked with myriad companies to assist them, here’s the most overlooked or undercooked aspects I see. Each deserves its own whitepaper:
1. Include a customer in your strategic planning.
Perhaps have an empty chair with a photo of one of your best customers; or maybe even invite a real one to the appropriate aspects of the discussion. Maintaining the customer lens ensures your plans are aligned to delivering to their needs and wants.
2. Prioritise succession planning as a pillar for the year.
Too many businesses have reliance upon too few people in their organisation. A resignation can destabilise strategic execution, or worse; the whole business. Focus on building your bench to avoid slipping behind.
3. Get woke: It’s time to get serious about Environmental Social and Governance (ESG).
Most now have policies for risk management (i.e. dust it off when the sh&t hits the fan) but the planet and your people now deserve serious attention. Plus, millennials and gen-Z-ers actually care about ESG and will be either drawn to or repulsed by your plans.
4. Include an AI pillar in your strategy.
2023 was the year of experimentation, 2024 is the year you need to get serious and implement effectively. Research from Datacom in August 2023 showed that a scant 9% of corporates had an actual plan for AI’s implementation. Technology innovation triggers create huge arbitrage opportunities and always see big winners and losers. AI is literally the biggest thing since the www in 1994. Move fast, try not to break things.
5. Review the 3 P’s: Proposition, Pricing, and Positioning.
Nothing creates opportunity for growth and opens a customers wallet like a refreshed or totally new offering. In addition, your team will love the growth and change, and you’ll keep your competitors guessing.
