Einstein’s Parable
A good leader has the humility to admit to themselves and others that what they thought would work, isn’t, then have the courage to change. As Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
Let’s apply Einstein’s logic to your goals and the plan you created to reach them.
At the beginning of the year, we discussed the importance of creating a plan for your brand and website to help you achieve your business’s goals. Now that a new quarter has begun, it’s time to review your plan to see if it’s helping you reach the goals you set at the beginning of the year.
Have your goals changed? Is your plan moving you towards your goals? Is the plan working for you or are you finding yourself in a constant tug of war with it? Are some parts working and others not? Will you do the same thing this quarter and expect a different result?
Let’s remember that planning for your brand and website goals doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s not rocket science or the kind of physics Einstein researched. A simple plan is better than no plan at all. But a plan that doesn’t adapt to changes in your business or a plan that isn’t working is just as bad as not having any plan at all.
Changing Your Plan
One of the mistakes business owners make is steadfastly sticking with a plan no matter the outcome. They’re too proud or short-sighted to see when they’re plan isn’t working. The hard truth is sometimes our plans just don’t work well. You know, the whole, “best laid plans of mice and men” thing.
It happens.
It happens all the time.
Remember, people depend on you to close on new projects to keep your business afloat and keep them fed. They depend on you for the plan to make that all happen.
Yeah. That sucks.
But, that’s what you signed up for when you decided to open a business.
You decided to be the leader.
And, as a leader, you have a responsibility to your team and customers to have a clear vision of what your company does, who you do it for, and how to reach them.
But sometimes, even with the best plan in place, things don’t go as expected. That’s where adaptability comes in – the willingness to pivot and try something new.
How do I change My Plan?
The key to success is having the humility to admit when something isn’t working, and the courage to make a change. It’s hard. Especially if you’ve invested a lot of time and resources into your original plan. But ultimately, if the plan isn’t achieving your goals, it’s better to accept the fact and change your tact.
With all that being said, you shouldn’t abandon a well thought out plan at the first sign of trouble. It’s important to give your plan time to work and measure its effectiveness. If some parts of the plan are working and others aren’t, focus on what’s working and adjust the rest.
As you study the metrics and gain some insight on how effective your plan is, you may discover new opportunities or challenges requiring a different approach. It’s an ongoing and iterative process and by continuously iterating and adjusting your plan, you have the opportunity to build a strong brand that resonates with your target audience, helps you close more deals, and keeps everyone fed and happy.
After all, isn’t that the point.
What are the Benefits to Changing Your Plan?
There are loads of benefits to adapting your plan as you go rather than being hard-headed and single-minded. It gives you the chance to stay competitive in a constantly changing business. Capabilities, manufacturer product improvements, customer behavior, and trends are constantly changing, and if you’re not willing to adapt, you will fail.
Another benefit is change may lead to innovation in your business model and new ideas. Simply by trying new approaches and taking some calculated risks to reach your goals, you may discover new opportunities helping you stay ahead of the curve and position you and your brand as a leader in your industry.
So, how can you ensure that you’re adapting your plan effectively? Here are a few tips:
Set clear goals and metrics
Before you start your plan, define your goals and how you’ll measure success. This will help you stay focused and make data-driven decisions about whether or not to adjust your plan.
Monitor your progress
Regularly track your progress and be humble enough to adjust your plan if you’re not seeing the results you need.
Gather feedback
Get feedback from your team. Remember they’re in this with you and may have some insights into what’s working and what’s not that you can’t see. Use their feedback to help you make the hard decisions.
Be open-minded
Keep an open mind and be willing to try new approaches, even if they’re outside your comfort zone. You never know what might work until you try it.
Learn from your mistakes
Accept that not every plan will work out perfectly and be willing to learn from them.
Where Can I Get Help Creating a Plan for My Business?
The good news is with a plan and the humility and vision to alter that plan as you go, you can build a strong brand with clear messaging. You don’t have to be the case study for Einstein’s parable. Plan, measure, and iterate. Don’t do the same thing over and over again.
Schedule a Builders Brand Schematic and we’ll help you create a plan to work with people you love to work for on projects you love to work on.