Plan to Succeed: Plant Seeds Now for Future Success

We are in the fourth quarter for many organizations. The home stretch. The question now is: What do you do next, and how do you do it? In other words, how can you end this year strong? The answer to that question begins with planning. 

Let’s be honest—as an employee or an employer, you understand how you are doing, what you have done, and what you need to do next. We all want to be successful and share the fruit of our labors. How do we do this effectively? Recently, we’ve discussed the power of the mid-year review, as well as the key factors associated with reflection on feedback provided, morale, growth, proper fit with the organization, and understanding of the opportunities available — professionally, personally, and organizationally. Upon reflection, we must harvest what has been learned and determine at this point what we have reaped. What we reap, we will sow — and that’s what will determine what we do for next year. 

Thus, as we enter the final stages of the year, we must do three things:  

1. Review Our Harvest

In short, to get ahead of the game, it is important for managers and leaders to evaluate the current plan and determine its impact. Start by looking at all you have accomplished this year. It is critical to identify the positive aspects so you can celebrate your successes and repeat what is working. In other words, did you take a LEAP?

• Leadership: Did you as an employer/manager/leader show up and represent the mission and vision?  
• Engagement: Did you support your team?  
• Acknowledgement: Did you reward — in any way — the success of what you have done and the successes of your team?  
• Project Management: Did you lead with your operational and financial considerations in mind?  

These are reflection points for you as an employer to consider. After all, luck favors the prepared. Further, as Alexander Graham Bell stated, “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.”  

2. Plan for Next Season

Just as a farmer thinks about his next planting as well as his current harvest, so should managers and leaders. As we think about 2024, planning is key to achieving future success. While we acknowledge our harvest, we must also focus on the future. It may seem odd to do this in October, but there is no time like the present to make an impact.   

• Take a Minute to share and confirm understanding of the goals you and your organization have for Q4 and for next year. This commitment to clear communication will enable others to be productive. As Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson recommend in The One Minute Manager, goals are critical to behavior. Sticking to the facts helps keep everyone aligned to the mission and vision in their everyday work.
• Consider Operations, Financial Projections, and Engagement. Each of these areas is essential to planning for the future. Without making time to think these areas through, you could lose what you’ve gained in this year’s harvest. These tips will help you tackle each area with skill and forethought:
  • Operations: Remember, your employees are considering these aspects as well as they plan their projects, engage with their team, and think about what they want to achieve next. This is the time of year where highly skilled employees, solid contributors (those who do the job as intended but may not go above and beyond), and lower performers are all thinking about their options and next steps. This may mean that your competitors have just inherited a large talent pool of potential employees. How can you retain your top talent? What can you do to ensure the workplace runs smoothly for everyone?
  • Financial Projections: As Q4 continues and 2024 looms ahead, it is critical that you consider the cost of headcount, recruitment, and loss of knowledge and expertise. With just a couple of months before the end of the year, this part of your planning must come to the forefront. Do you have sufficient staff to accomplish your organizational goals? How are you connecting with potential new employees? Are there strategic areas to consider when it comes to future staffing needs? Answers to questions like these lead to the final area for consideration…
  • Engagement: It is never too late to show care and respect for employees through communication, consideration, and celebration. As you come to the end of the year, ensure that you have focused on these items. And if not — put it on your calendar to do so! How can you show. Your appreciation for their hard work? What rewards (monetary or otherwise) can you offer to top performers? How can you reengage lower performers to help them succeed? These are the things that help you retain your staff so that you can enter 2024 strong.

3. Be Present

Finally, this time of year requires a great deal of your attention with your team. Be committed to doing so with enthusiasm and authenticity. Remember, it only takes a minute to engage — and that moment of connection can make a powerful positive impact on your team. Please take that time for your employees.

Taking this time now to engage with your staff and doing so purposefully will ensure that you are prepared for accurate and respectful conversations at year’s end and beyond!

Set Yourself Up for HR Success with Smart Year-End Planning from Our Pros

At Who’s Your HR?, we’re ready any time of the year — especially now — to support your team and help you craft effective HR policies and procedures that keep you compliant as you grow your organization. From end-of-year assessments of HR handbooks and employee documents like W-2s and 1099s, to training and recruitment planning to kick off the new year strong, we’re here to make your HR needs a breeze to achieve. Connect with us today to set up a consultation.