Financial services strategy is important and deserves your full attention. So, tired teams should make planning as fun and focused as possible to keep people engaged and increase buy-in for any plan created.
After all, the holidays haven’t even arrived yet and you’re tired. There’s no shame in it. Everyone’s there in one way or another…after all, you already powered through nine hectic months. But how do you accept the fatigue without accepting a strategic plan born out of burn out?
Here are five ways to keep your all-important planning process on point as you anxiously await holiday vacation.
What Are 5 Ways to Have a Fun and Focused Financial Services Strategy?
- Do the Unexpected – There are certain things you might do every year…review the same numbers, do the same SWOT, have the same conversations, leave with the same few goals. No wonder you’re exhausted! That’s a session geared more toward snoozing than winning. Energize a tired team by doing the unexpected: new exercises, bold ideas, the courage to cast a vision rather than mill around behind the budgetary rope line.
- Go Off-Site – A simple change of scenery does a lot for changing a team’s mindset. Get out of the office! This isn’t only refreshing, but it removes staff from daily tactical demands or temptations present at the office. And eye-spinning numbers of dollar signs might float through your head as you read this point, but your off-site doesn’t need to be in Aruba. Reserve a space at the local library. Rent a day at a co-work space. Off-site doesn’t need to be pricey.
- Educate, Engage AND Entertain – Most financial services strategy sessions are good at the first two parts, but entertaining participants traditionally falls by the wayside. That’s a mistake. Yes, this is serious business. But it won’t be memorable business if it’s boring. Remember to tell jokes, have lunch where you don’t discuss work, play games. Align your team because only an aligned team makes a successful plan.
- Focus, Focus, Focus – A good general principle, but it also helps fatigued teams. Nothing tires people out more than a lengthy list of future projects. And if someone is already burned out, they aren’t thinking “let’s go” when they see it…they’re thinking “I should give up now.” If the list looks manageable, even beleaguered groups are likely to buy in and feel confident in the plan. Of course, a focused list doesn’t mean a pointless one. The three-to-five initiatives you choose should be the most impactful.
- Keep it Tight – Believe it or not, the highest-level financial services strategy work can all be done in one day. For complex organizations or those wanting tactical help, maybe there’s two days. That’s all to say – remove bloat from your session. One-to-two days is about all people can mentally bear. These are fun days, impactful days…but they also drain participants. Keep your session tight and draw out the best from your team before they fade.
Get a Planning Session Manageable for You
Have a financial services strategy session that’s fun, manageable and gets you where you need to go. Book a call and let’s talk about a late-in-the-game booking or getting ahead for next year.
FAQs: HOW TO HAVE FUN AND FOCUSED FINANCIAL SERVICES STRATEGY SESSIONS
How do you run a financial services strategy session when your team is burned out?
Make it as fun and focused as possible. Tired teams stay engaged and buy into the plan when the session does five things: breaks from the usual routine, moves off-site, entertains as well as educates, narrows the list of initiatives, and stays short.
How can you make a strategic planning session more engaging?
Do the unexpected. Reviewing the same numbers, running the same SWOT, and leaving with the same goals every year wears people out. Bring in new exercises and bold ideas, and cast a vision instead of staying inside the budget. Entertain people too: tell jokes, play games, and have a lunch where nobody talks about work. A serious session that’s boring won’t be memorable.
Does a strategic planning session need to be held off-site?
It helps. A change of scenery shifts the team’s mindset and removes them from daily tactical demands at the office. It doesn’t need to be expensive. A room at the local library or a day at a co-working space does the job.
How many initiatives should a strategic plan include?
Three to five, and they should be the most impactful ones. A long list of projects drains a tired team and makes people want to give up before they start. A manageable list builds confidence and buy-in.
How long should a financial services strategy session last?
One day is enough for the highest-level strategy work. Complex organizations, or those wanting tactical help, may need two. Beyond that, people fade. These days are productive but mentally draining, so keep the session tight to get the best from your team.
