Something I notice all the time when I work with business owners is that they often don’t set aside enough strategic time because they’re too busy with day-to-day operations. Businesses should be engaging in creative planning on a regular basis to ensure survival and success.

I always encourage my clients to schedule time in their calendars for brainstorming or idea generation. These are not problem-solving sessions, or a time to address issues that have already presented themselves. This is specific time for fresh and innovative thinking about directions for the business.

I’ve said before that four is an ideal number for brainstorming. The power of four is one of those natural dynamics of synergies in teams that has a powerful affect on their effectiveness. In brainstorming and strategizing, it’s harder when one person tries to do it alone. With two people, you develop velocity in the communication. The addition of a third person adds mass. With a fourth person, you add volume.

If you already set aside strategic time every week, good for you. If you are like most, however, spending time contemplating the “big picture” each week might take some extra motivation, but they are well worth your time. Too often, business owners forget why they started their business in the first place, and where they see it going in the future.

Here are a few “big picture” questions to ask yourself:

Business Purpose – what was your original purpose for building your business and how have things changed since you began. How do you plan on accomplishing what you set out to do?

Organization Goals – how do you see your business evolving? Have these goals been clearly communicated to your employees? Which industries does your organization currently serve and where might your reach be expanded in the future?

Strategies for Attaining Goals – which methods will you use to reach your targets? This part of your planning may change frequently.

Action Plans – state specific objectives for your company. These don’t need to be set in stone, but should be thought through with care.

Remember: Strategic planning is not only for large corporations that can afford the time and personnel to develop a sound plan; it is a matter of long-term survival for small businesses.

A couple other thoughts on this from around the interweb…

 Companies Without Strategies Are Heading For Tragedies - Executives always have the excuse for not doing strategic planning. They reckon that things are changing so rapidly. It does not make sense to do ten or even five year planning as events will change and it is not possible to preempt …

Brainstorming Tips and Techniques – 6 Colored De Bono Hats - The hats can be used even by an individual brainstorming alone. If in a group members identify which hat they are wearing so as to feel free to speak their mind without worrying about offending anyone. …

Effective Brainstorming: 7 Tips To Brainstorm Better With Your Team