“It seems we just get so busy that we forget to have follow-up meetings about our annual plan,” said Joyce. “We get busy, and before you know it, summer’s almost gone.”

“Do you have a 2006 calendar?” I asked.

“Well, yes, I think I have three.”

“Well, pick the one you are going to use this year and call a meeting,” I said. “And tell everyone to bring their calendars. This is not a very sophisticated management skill, but it works every time. Right, now, while your annual plan is fresh on everyone’s mind, schedule your follow-up meetings.

“Schedule a half day in April, to review the first quarter, then a half day in July to review the second quarter. Add another half day in October for the third quarter. Get them on the calendar, now, so as time marches on, those dates are already protected.

“Schedule one to two full days in December to review the fourth quarter and to finalize plans for 2007. That’s it. Now, you have a follow-up plan in progress. You will get busy, that’s why you have to schedule this stuff, now.”

I was a little overwhelmed at the interest in our planning template from last week. 108 people requested a copy of the template. Now, if we could just hear what you are doing with it? -TF