A game of two halves
And just like that, there goes the Easter weekend.
For many clients, this is where the first-half performance starts to properly come into view. And with just over two months to go, the results are coming in as to what will and won’t make it across the line before the mid-way point of 2023.
This little transfer window is the perfect time to reflect and take stock. It gives you the opportunity to really take control of what happens next. Because contrary to what Ted Lasso might tell you, simply asking your team to ‘believe’ is not quite enough to deliver results.
What have you achieved so far this year? How clear and aligned is the team on what’s needed to take 2023 from a good year to a great year?
As we approach the end of the first half, it’s right about now that I start to get calls to work through strategic resets. Maybe the direction isn’t quite right, or not everyone is on board and aligned. I think of teams like a collection of iron filings on a table. Over time these filings spread apart and start heading off in different directions. The purpose of a strategic reset is to create a magnet that pulls everyone back together again, fully aligned and all pointing in the same direction.
It is also when my well-trained clients begin booking their planning sessions to align the strategic direction with the execution plan for H2. These clients know that this is the moment to take control of the second half. It’s the chance to get ahead and ensure they don’t miss a moment to drive the desired outcomes. That said, I still get calls in July and August from people looking for help to directionally align teams and clarify what needs to be done to drive the required growth to hit this year's goals. And I am sure this year will be no different.
Within my Game Planning framework, I use three important steps to establish a common understanding from which the next iteration of the plan can be developed.
How far have you come? Are you where you want to be right now?
What have you learned? Have things gone according to plan? If so, how did that happen – and how can you leverage that moving forward. If not, why not – and what needs to change?
What’s the gap that needs to be closed to turn 2023 from good to great?
Use this opportunity to take control, and don’t let the game slip away in the second half. If you are interested in a strategic reset workshop or need to find new ways to connect your strategic direction with sustainable outcomes, let’s chat because now’s the time to make sure your business can deliver the results you have planned for.