I’ve worked with business owners over the last 18 years with a mission to organize the business and have them align with their personal and professional desires. While each business is unique, the foundation of Operations is the same across industries. What makes the difference between businesses are the policies, procedures, and preferences they choose – or need – to implement.
Whether you’re just getting started with organizing your business, or getting ready to do an Operations Overhaul, these 7 elements are where you should start this process. Checking in with them periodically also ensures that how you run your business and what you offer are aligned with what you really want.
In this post we’ll visit these 7 elements:
- Your Vision: Your destination
- Current Priorities: What’s on deck for the next 6 months
- Upcoming Priorities: What’s coming up in the next 7-18 months
- Regulations and Compliance: things you need to stay on top of in your line of business and/or geographical area
- Supplier/Vendor Requirements: ensuring you take external requirements into consideration
- Resources Already in Place: Leveraging what you have
- Important Dates: everything important goes into your calendar
I’ve also included some of the questions I use during the Needs Assessment portion of my SOSS Intensive and Accelerator services. Grab your favorite note-taking tools and let’s dive in!
🔮 Your Vision
Let’s explore the core of your business – your vision. Understanding where you want to go is crucial for developing an effective operations strategy. Your vision is the North Star guiding your business operations. It’s not just a statement, but a vivid picture of where you want your company to be in the future.
Key aspects:
- Defines long-term goals Inspires and motivates your team
- Shapes decision-making at all levels
- Aligns operations with overall business strategy
Remember: A clear vision provides direction, purpose, and focus for your entire organization.
Questions for Your Vision
- What is the ultimate goal for your business in the next 3-5 years?
- How do you envision your company’s culture and values?
- What impact do you want your business to have on your industry or community?
- Describe your ideal customer or client. How does your vision serve them?
📝 Your Current Priorites (next 6 months)
Short-term priorities keep your business operations focused and agile. These are the immediate goals that drive your day-to-day activities.
Consider:
- Ongoing projects and their deadlines
- Quarterly objectives and key results (OKRs)
- Immediate market opportunities or challenges
- Pressing operational issues to address
Pro tip: Align your current priorities with your long-term vision for cohesive growth.
Questions about Your Current Priorities
- What are your top 3 business objectives for the next 6 months?
- Are there any immediate operational challenges you’re facing?
- Do you have any upcoming product launches or service expansions?
- What area of your business needs the most attention in the short term?
📅 Your Upcoming Priorities (7-18 months)
Looking ahead to medium-term priorities helps you prepare and adapt your operations for future growth and challenges.
Focus areas:
- Expansion plans or new product launches
- Anticipated market shifts or industry trends
- Long-term projects in the pipeline
- Potential operational upgrades or transformations
Remember: Balance flexibility with planning to stay prepared for future opportunities and obstacles.
Questions about Your Upcoming Priorities
- What major milestones do you hope to achieve in the next 7-18 months?
- Are you planning any significant changes to your business model?
- Do you anticipate any major market shifts or opportunities in this timeframe?
- What operational capabilities will you need to develop to meet these goals?
⚖ Regulations and Compliance
Staying compliant is crucial for smooth operations. We’ll identify the rules and regulations that apply to your business. Staying compliant is non-negotiable in business operations. It protects your company, employees, and customers.
Key aspects:
- Industry-specific regulations
- Local, state, and federal laws
- International standards (if applicable)
- Data protection and privacy requirements
- Environmental regulations
Pro tip: Build compliance into your operational processes to make it a seamless part of your business.
Questions around Regulations and Compliance that affect you
- What industry-specific regulations affect your business?
- Are there any upcoming regulatory changes you need to prepare for?
- How do you currently manage compliance in your organization?
- Are there any areas where you’re unsure about your compliance status
🤝🏽 Supplier/Vendor Requirements
Your relationships with suppliers and vendors are key to efficient operations. Let’s examine these critical partnerships. Your suppliers and vendors are integral to smooth business operations. Clear requirements ensure mutually beneficial relationships.
Consider:
- Quality standards and specifications
- Delivery timelines and logistics
- Payment terms and conditions
- Communication protocols
- Performance metrics and evaluations
Remember: Strong supplier relationships can be a significant competitive advantage.
Questions about requirements of your suppliers/vendors
- Who are your key suppliers or vendors?
- What are the most important terms in your supplier/vendor agreements?
- Are there any supply chain challenges you’re currently facing?
- How do you evaluate and manage supplier/vendor performance?
🛠 Resources Already in Place
Let’s take stock of what you already have. Identifying your current resources helps us leverage your strengths and address any gaps in your operations. Taking stock of your existing resources is crucial for effective business operations. This inventory forms the foundation of your operational capabilities.
Key components:
- Human capital: Skills and expertise of your team
- Physical assets: Equipment, facilities, and technology
- Financial resources: Available capital and cash flow
- Intangible assets: Brand reputation, intellectual property, partnerships
Tip: Regularly assess and optimize your resources to maximize operational efficiency.
Questions about the resources you already have
- What tools or software are you currently using for business operations?
- Describe your current team structure and key roles.
- What financial resources are available for operational improvements?
- Are there any untapped skills or resources within your organization?
📅 Important Dates to Know
Planning around key dates ensures your operations support critical business activities. Key dates anchor your operational calendar, helping you plan, prepare, and perform effectively.
Examples include:
- Financial year-end and reporting deadlines
- Contract renewal dates
- Industry events or trade shows
- Seasonal peaks or troughs in demand
- Scheduled audits or inspections
Tip: Use a shared calendar to keep your entire team aligned on crucial dates.
Questions for how managing your time and capacity
- What are the most important recurring dates in your business calendar (e.g., busy seasons, annual events)?
- Are there any upcoming deadlines for contracts, licenses, or certifications?
- Do you have any planned dates for major business changes or launches?
- Are there any industry events or external factors that significantly impact your business timeline?
Getting in touch with these 7 elements is the first step into optimizing an intentional and aligned business. Your next step is to transform them into a cohesive, actionable strategy with a plan of action.
