365 days...

It has been a little more than 365 days since the World Health Organization announced a novel coronavirus had been isolated from a person in hospital, and it will be a less than 365 days when everyone will have received a vaccination for the virus that causes COVID-19 (at least in Canada). It’s a pandemic that will be (and already is) measured in the millions, and has involved governments, communities, and individuals attempting to incorporate the simplest of public health measures to fight the virus. Social distancing, socially isolating when sick, hand washing, and good hygiene — all in an attempt to stop the virus from spreading, which evolutionarily speaking, is designed to do.

On a daily basis, the news cycle offers up a tally of cases, hospitalizations, deaths, unemployed, closures, and now, the number of people vaccinated (it was pointed out to me recently that newscasters have it easy now. All they have to do is cite the numbers of the day). It’s a relentless bombardment on our individual and collective psychology, all at a time when our personal distractions and coping mechanisms have been stripped away. We lament there is nothing to do but what we’re really saying is we can’t do what we used to do, and we’re not happy about it. If not literally, we figuratively wait, and so does SARS CoV-2.

There is a long game when it comes to a modern pandemic: simply get vaccinated before you get sick. We’re 365 days into this pandemic and we’ve another 365 days to go; with each day that passes, get closer to what we remember as normality (at least we thing we can remember).

With this in mind, this is what I plan to do over the next 365 days to help get me through this crisis.

1. Work really hard to stay healthy and keep others healthy

2. Be there for family and friends, and help keep them safe (refer to #1)

3. Continue to be of value to those I work with

4. Don’t let all that practical “life stuff” slide just because I think every day seems the same and I just don’t feel like doing it (you know like — taxes, doctor’s appointments, blogs, getting my car licence, better rigor around my investing… stuff like that)

5. Keep running stairs, keep riding my gravel bike, stay mobile and don’t sit too much, keep eating right, and get lots of fresh air

6. Stay imaginative and try new things (even if they are small and seemingly insignificant). Keep the brain working and “relatively sharp”

7. Plan that next trip. You’re definitely gonna need it after this is all over.

It’s amazing what you can accomplish in 365 days — I’m optimistic.

iamgpe

PS: Why the picture of a bike in the snow? Well this is a manifestation of me exercising, getting fresh air and being imaginative. Riding a bike in the snow is so much fun!

PPS: If you have gotten this far you’ve probably recognized I’ve put my 365 day plan down on paper ( I wanted to keep them broad because, in the time of COVID, i want to stay “nimble”).

Come on people, it’s the beginning of a new year — get it down on “paper”.

What will happen over the next twenty years...

I have never been much of a futurist — I am more one to muddle through the muck of the moment and work through whatever comes my way. Recently though I've been thinking I should take a different tact because we're in the throws of dramatic change and with that, amazing opportunity. Maybe it's time for me to take pause and think about what the future may hold (and like a good surfer, look for a fine wave to catch). If you have ever attempted to surf you know the best wave is found in the green water — it's where you can catch the wave early, ride it longer, and have more fun.

This is something I am actively exploring and will be quick to ask about.

So I ask you, "What do you think will happen over the next twenty years?"

As I start to explore the green water of the future, here are some of the considerations that have resonated with me so far... be it as opportunities to explore, problems to anticipate, or simply considerations to prepare for (aka adapt to).

• Our natural environment will continue to change, and all that stuff we make will continue to spill over into it. 
• Our symbiosis with technology will continue to a point of physical change and it will blur the lines regarding what it is to be a human being.
• Artificial Intelligence will impact the definition of work and what people do.
• The established structures of trust, power, and government will be challenged by technology and by the evolving definition of work and how people find fulfilment.
• National identity will be displaced by city and corporate states.
• The "networks of connection" will challenge the ability of people to connect, relate, and trust at a personal level.
•  We will live longer, but probably not healthier.

As I say I am no futurist so this is a conversation I am eager to have with anyone who has some thoughts. Please let me know what you think (or know) — it's greatly appreciated.

At this point, all I know is we are on the cusp of substantial change, I want to be part of it, and a person can do amazing things in twenty years.

iamgpe

The anatomy of presenting a plan...

If you are in business (or any organization for that matter) you may find yourself presenting your plan to someone (or many someones) — in fact it may start with something that sounds like this...

"We really want to step change the business so I want you to develop a plan and present it to me and the team in a month — and to stimulate your thinking this is the stretch goal I want to hit next year <insert big goal>. You will have an hour to present. 

Let me know if there are any questions and I look forward to your presentation - see ya."  

As you shake your head at the supposed "stretch goal" — you then get down to work because the clock is now ticking and a month goes very quickly. 

Although I appreciate there are many ways to present I will go out on a limb and suggest most leaders are looking for a slide deck with someone presenting at the front of the room or at the very least on a webinar. With that said, I present to you the anatomy of what I believe to be an effective presentation to get your point across, and more importantly, get buy-in.

The First Slide —

This is the title slide which indicates what your presentation is about and who you are. Don't assume that everyone who is listening knows who you are.

The Second Slide —

This slide sets the tone of your presentation and frames up the three things that the presentation is about: 

Your Vision — a statement that looks into the future at least three years and defines a desired future state of what your plan is working to achieve.

Your Goal — In the largest font you can afford, show the financial goal you are working to achieve with the plan.

Your Strategies to achieve your goal (no less than three and no more than three) — a long term plan of action designed to achieve your goal. These strategies are prioritized in order of impact on the goal

The Third Slide — 

The Revenue Walk

This is the slide where you connect your vision and strategies with the financial goal. The objective is to offer a visual perspective as to how you will achieve your goal, set priorities, and engage the audience. Also be warned this is the first slide your audience my attempt to "hijack" your presentation... meaning the audience may try to take you off your "script".

 

The Fourth, Fifth and Six Slide —

Strategies

This is where you present the three strategies in order of priority — one strategy per slide. Each strategy is explained and includes what is needed to make it happen in terms of structure, staff, systems and process, skills needed, and how the strategy will be executed.

The Seventh and Eighth Slide —

Organizational charts

The seventh slide is the current organizational chart (current state) and eighth slide is the required organizational chart (future state). This visualizes the team that is needed to support the three strategies, and drive to the goal (which I remind you started this whole thing). Remember (and this is a truism) — people are everything, and nothing gets done without them.

The Ninth Slide —

Situation Review

This slide offers an overview of the situation that the business operates in. This slide offers insight into the market, market share, current performance, competitive situation, and other considerations that are relevant to the goal and strategies. 

The Tenth Slide —

The SWOT

The SWOT analysis highlights the Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats relevant to the organization and the business situation. Strengths and Weaknesses tend to offer an internal perspective, while Opportunities and Threats offer and external one. This slide is best represented with four quadrants highlighting the appropriate strengths, weakness, et cetera. 

The Eleventh Slide —

People

This is the people and performance slide that identifies the people, their performance, and their potential. 

A nine quadrant grid with PERFORMANCE along the x axis and POTENTIAL along the y axis — this allows you to stack rank people from Consistent Star to Talent Risk, and then everyone in between. This helps with honest (and respectful) discussions to help develop people up or out of the organization.

The goal of slides nine, ten and eleven are to create a clear picture of the foundation you are building your strategies and future structure on.

The Twelfth Slide — 

Resources and Risks

This is the slide where you summarize the resources needed to initiate your three strategies and ensure they are successful. Resources needed are normally presented in dollar. This is also where you indicate any risks that may prevent you from executing on your strategies and achieving your goal.

The Appendix (and all the other slides) —

Your presentation will at most consist of twelve slides but there is still all of that supporting material that you need handy just in case someone has a question, wants supporting material for something you did (or didn't) say, et cetera, et cetera. This is where your appendix comes in, and feel free to go wild with the number of slides you put there — but remember, they will never actually be part of your one hour presentation.   

Is this the definitive template for presenting a plan?

Of course it isn't...  it's just one of many, but it has proven effective in having someone say, "I like what you are saying...tell me more." Because the honest truth is this is just the start of your plan and there's a bunch more work ahead of you — but as I mentioned, it has proven to be a good way to start.

iamgpe