Our next Leadership program kicks off Wednesday, January 9, in Fort Lauderdale. For registration, simply reply to this email or visit www.workingleadership.com.
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Lauren, sitting at her table, moved all her papers, notebooks and other junk to the side. From a folder, she drew a single sheet of blank paper, selected her favorite pen. “Where do I start?” she asked.

“What is today?” I replied.

“January 4?”

“No, in your imagination, it is December 31, 2008. Close your eyes and think. Think about your different customer segments, your product lines and product mix, your services and service mix. What position do you hold in the market? What is your market share? Who are your key personnel? What are your core competencies? What breakthroughs have you achieved during this past year? What processes have changed? What does your physical plant, your facilities look like? Economically, what were your revenues? What were your gross margins and net to the bottom? Remember, it is December 31, 2008.”

Lauren was furiously writing the questions. “This is going to take some time,” she finally spoke.

“Yes, and it’s likely to take more than your brilliant brain to create this vision. Why don’t you gather your best and brightest minds together to help you?” -TF
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If you would like to download our 2008 Planning Template, it’s free on our website, www.managementblog.org.