Growing a food shop requires a lot of hard work and perseverance. But there is more to it. Good leaders take time to look ahead and plan strategically. This allows them to steer the growth of their shop, whatever challenges it faces.
This does not only apply to large companies. Even as a small business owner or self-employed person, you need to spend time on strategic planning to grow your business.
Proactive versus reactive
Without strategic planning, you are always defending. You are just reacting to events to mitigate risks and put your business in the most favourable position possible. Strategic planning is about being proactive rather than reactive. It means seeking challenges and making contingency plans for obstacles you encounter along the way.
Your long-term business plan
How far ahead are you looking? You probably have a solid plan for this month or this quarter, but what about a year from now? Or five or even 10 years from now?
Long-term planning starts with looking ahead. Decide where you want to be in one year, five years and 10 years. Visualise what your shop will look like then. This will help you set goals and make a plan to achieve them.
Make your goals SMART
Your future goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Acceptable/Abtainable, Relevant and Time-bound. For example, don't just say you want more customers, pick a number and decide when you want this to be achieved. Research shows that specific goals with deadlines are more likely to be achieved.
Strategic questions and contingency plans
With a clear picture of the future and goals set, it is time to think about contingency plans. You should have a plan for any unexpected setback that may occur. Suppose something changes in the market, you don't want to be taken completely by surprise. You should already have a plan B ready.
Think about what could happen. Suppose a doubter is listening to your long-term plans. What questions would they ask to challenge you? Ask yourself these questions so that you think realistically about what could happen.
Define your business vision
If you haven't already done so, define your shop's vision. Explain how your business uniquely helps your customers. Formulate this in a statement of about 100 words. This will help clarify your vision for the future and keep you on track towards your goals.
Man makes plans and fate smiles on you
There is a great paradox in planning a business. You cannot move forward without a solid plan, but plans are subject to change. With a good plan and a clearly defined vision, you can start with a clear goal in mind. Keep an eye on the market and adjust your plan accordingly. This is how you grow and steer your business towards success.
Want to discover practical and proven strategies to successfully grow your food shop? Fill in the form below and immediately receive our free 10-page action guide, ‘Successful growth for food stores: Practical steps’. Plus, you'll get access to our weekly newsletter packed with tips and advice especially for independent food retailers. Improve your strategic planning, optimise your operations and watch your shop flourish! Let KairosFood guide you to sustainable growth and success.