The article discusses the importance of having a focused plan and executing it to meet business goals. It argues that to succeed, businesses must (1) define their focus or purpose, (2) develop a strategic plan with goals that reach further than the present, and (3) execute the plan by aligning daily actions with the strategy and purpose. The authors provide examples from the construction industry of how companies that follow this process of focusing, planning, and executing are able to adapt successfully even during difficult economic times.

1. Northwest Arkansas Business Journal
NWABusinessJournal.com
Current Edition >Last updated on Friday, August 31, 2012, 11:16 am
Kenand Patti Leith
Executing a Focused Plan is Critical to Meeting Goals (Opinion)
by Ken and Patti Leith
We all know we’re supposed to plan. We’ve been taught about its
importance and the techniques to accomplish it since grade school.
However, most of us really only plan for the shorter term. Sure, we
may have contingencies in place for emergencies, but in our day-
to-day business lives, our plans may only extend into today, next
week, and maybe next month.
In today’s demanding world of competitiveness and economic
uncertainty, planning is essential for survival, no matter what your
role or your company’s size. Those in industries that have been
slowed by recent economic challenges know all too well we can’t
fully predict what the future holds, so any confidence you have in
your ability to plan probably has diminished.
To get ahead, though, you need to:
Focus. The anatomy of a plan is that it must focus on a purpose.
What are you trying to accomplish? Why? To what degree? Dream
big and reach high, but be honest about what you’re doing, why
you’re doing it, and the available market.
The essence of purpose is that it brings strategy into focus. It is the

2. key to defining your large-scale goals so you can define your
purpose clearly.
Whether you’re a business owner or an employee, you should know
what you’re trying to do and why. Everyone around you should
know it, too. This motivates everyone to reach higher than the
present and achieve more. It also paves the way to clearer
identification of goals.
Plan: Once you define your focus, you can begin to create a more
strategic and future-focused plan. It should be goal-oriented,
reaching further than today. Achieving business goals depends on
your ability to make today’s activities directly impact tomorrow’s
objectives. This plan is the first step toward business efficiency,
growth and/or recovery.
Once you define your focus, you can plan the steps to accomplish
your desired goals.
Execute: Next, seek to align today’s actions with tomorrow’s
purpose and strategy. This enables you and your team to create a
solid plan for execution that is designed to get you where you want
to go, rather than just maintain. The execution plan should be clear
and specific. Each item should be assigned to one owner. Due dates
should accompany the plan.
When you finally make it through these times of economic
uncertainty, remember that you won’t fully resume success without
a future-focused, well-executed plan. You have to live your days in
pursuit of higher goals. Not only does the business need clear
purpose, but the people running the business need to understand,
embrace and thrive on that purpose.
For example, during Ken’s 20 years in construction as a division
branch manager, he experienced much change. Organizations that
did well at managing transitions, and continue to do well, have
utilized the principles of “Focus, Plan and Execute.” Whether in
prosperous times or during challenging ones, successful
construction companies adjust by defining their demographics,
understanding the correct price point and ensuring the proper
infrastructure is developed (Focus).

3. Teams of subject matter experts should be brought together to
research and architect plans for growth. Attention should be paid to
the needs of the construction company, subcontractors who supply
products and services, architects, engineers and city planners
(Plan).
Implementation is achieved in a controlled manner, allowing for
constant reporting and measurements, thus ensuring necessary
adjustments are made to avoid costly errors (Execute).
Regardless of industry or size of company, the use of the
systematic and integrated disciplines of Focus, Plan and Execute
readies all companies to meet their goals.
Ken and Patti Leith are managing partners of EDGES, Inc., a
Strategic Planning and Process Efficiency firm based in Bentonville,
AR. They also own and operate e-Gauge, Inc. a software services
company specializing in talent management and strategic plan
execution. You can contact EDGES at 479.203.7198 or
www.getedges.com.

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