590 – Annual Strategic Planning

A practical 10-step guide to creating your small business strategic plan for the year ahead. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/590-annual-strategic-planning/ In this episode, Henry Lopez breaks down how to create a clear and practical strategic plan for the year ahead, without overcomplicating the process. Strategic planning gives small business owners a roadmap for growth, helping them stop reacting and start leading with intention. Henry walks through a 10-step framework that includes reviewing the previous year, refining your vision, conducting a SWOT analysis, defining strategy, setting goals and KPIs, breaking plans into quarterly actions, budgeting, and executing with discipline. He also explains why strategic planning matters even when circumstances change: "If we don't plan, then you really have no path to follow… things will happen to you instead of you making things happen." This episode is designed to help you clarify where you're going, stay aligned with your long-term vision, make smarter decisions about limited resources, and create a focused plan you can adjust throughout the year. You'll also learn Henry's five best-practice tips for more effective planning, starting with basing everything on reality, limiting priorities, tracking KPIs consistently, assigning ownership, and ensuring everything leads to real action. If you want to enter the next year with clarity, confidence, and intention, this episode provides the structure you need. This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com