Make Time to Plan and Evaluate

Managers are often go-go-go, trying to get everything done that needs to get done.

One key task that is often shortchanged is taking time to plan. Managers tend to take the approach: "we'll figure it out as we go."

Not convinced?

How many of you have a written marketing plan?

How about a written fundraising plan?

How many of you build your annual budget with generalities and then figure out the details later on?

Planning is a Priority

Taking time to plan is all about priorities.

Everyone has time to do whatever they can do in each 24-hour day. If I sleep an extra hour, that's one less hour to do something else.

If planning is a priority, you will always find time to do it.

So, stop thinking about planning as a luxury and more as a necessity. 

Here's what worked for me: I made planning a non-negotiable part of my team’s schedule.

Whether it was setting aside an hour each week to outline our marketing strategy or dedicating time each month to refine our fundraising plan, making planning a priority ensured that my team was proactive rather than reactive. 

Proactive Not Reactive

Now, let's talk about the equally important task of evaluating results.

If managers find it difficult to make time to plan, then they likely find it impossible to make time to evaluate results.

But evaluating results is just as crucial as planning.

It helps you understand what’s working, what isn’t, and where you can improve. 

Evaluate Regularly

In my experience, taking time to evaluate results can seem like a luxury when you're always moving from one task to the next.

However, without evaluation, you're essentially flying blind.

How do you know if your marketing plan is effective? How do you know if your fundraising strategies are yielding results? 

When I was a chief executive, I scheduled regular evaluation sessions.

After every major event or campaign, I set aside time to review what happened. I looked at key metrics, gathered feedback from the team, and discussed what we could do better next time. 

Continuous Improvement

By making evaluation a regular part of your routine, you ensure continuous improvement and better outcomes over time.

It might seem like an extra step, but it’s an investment that pays off in the long run.