A Guide to Intentional Strategic Planning
New Year, New Plans! It’s officially time to regroup, get back into the swing, and plan for the year ahead. Behavioral Health as an industry will see more growth with higher demand, new investment and technological advances. The best way to be prepared is to plan. Based on the previous year, where do you want to improve? Is there anything you want to do more or less? You might need to find more resources or hire support. How do you know where the process should change and where it’s working? Review is just as important as the plans to move forward. We’re sharing reminders and tips to help you get the most out of your 2023 Strategic Planning Session.
- Slow Down to Speed Up
When planning for what’s ahead, it’s easy to get excited and want to get started as soon as possible. To clear the road ahead, you have to take the time to really review the last year. Outside of an Annual Report and Financials, ask yourself and your team where they need the most support, what process can be improved, and find the information to make the proper changes.
- Assess Metrics
The best data you can use to review the past year in your business is Canned Reports. When reviewing you should assess revenue, client cancellations, highest billed service, highest treatment areas and programs, and productivity. From These reports, you will be able to answer what your pain points are and make informed decisions on where to invest more resources or development within your business.
- Measure with Milestones
As you map out what you want and how to make it happen, be sure to include milestones in your planning too. These can be dates, company-wide meetings, or high-level check-ins. Make sure to involve everyone necessary and have a measurement for success. If one of your goals is to improve a process, how often are you reviewing efficiency? Define and schedule milestones now to ensure you remain on track throughout the year.
- Take Care of Yourself
Planning for the year can be overwhelming. It’s a critical time in your business, give yourself grace and make time for self-care. Take walks outside at least daily, meditate, set alarms to step away from your computer, and don’t forget to blink. Taking these small moments for yourself not only helps your mind and body, but it requires intention. Be conscious of the world around you to help you focus when it matters most.
We hope these tips will help ease the Strategic Planning process. Don’t forget to ask for help whenever you need it. TLock Solutions wants to be a resource for you during the process. Be sure to connect with us on LinkedIn for more practical tips for Behavioral Health professionals. You can find more information about our services and get help auditing and planning for a successful 2023 at www.tlocksolutions.com.