“If you don’t know where you’re going any path will do.”

You probably remember this quote from Lewis Carroll’s fairy tale, Alice in Wonderland. When I hear this I always think of Ted -- my first sales partner and early mentor at IBM. Ted was the consummate IBM salesman and I learned much from him. But when I asked him a question that wasn’t focused or didn’t consider our sales goals he would respond by saying, “if you don’t know where you’re going, any bus will get you there”.

What he was saying was if you don’t have your end game in mind or if you don’t understand the basic issues involved in your pursuits. the decisions you make don’t really matter. That premise is just as true today At A Cut Above LLC, my custom woodworking business, as it was when Ted and I were trying to sell computers to GE.

The 'OOPS' Method
I established a rudimentary business plan when I formed my woodworking company using the “oops” method of planning I learned back then. “OOPS” was the easy way to remember and implement this important process.

O – Objectives: Set clear and measurable objectives to be met by a specific time.

O – Obstacles: For each objective why can’t you accomplish it right now? Write down all the obstacles blocking you from your objectives.

P – Priorities: Arrange your Objectives from most important to least and arrange the obstacles similarly.

S – Solutions: Starting with your most important objective, write down the specific actions you (or someone on your team) will take to overcome the obstacle.

Typically, a plan like this is developed in a forum that includes most, if not all of the folks whose responsibility it will be to implement the solutions. In a small shop of under 10 people it could be everyone. In a larger shop maybe it’s just the managers and foremen.

The theory is, that while the plan is being developed everyone is “equal;” that is, no matter what your position your ideas are important. Through discussion you attempt to reach a consensus decision to define the objectives, obstacles and solutions. If all goes well and everyone’s ideas are represented in the plan, then everyone critical to the success of the plan are in agreement with it.

This process may not be realistic in your environment. In my small shop there simply aren’t enough people for me to go through this process. I set the financial business plan for the year and identify the major challenges that are inhibiting me from achieving my annual goals. Then I put together a “hit list” of accomplishments I need to complete during the year in addition to meeting the basic revenue and expenses objectives.

Case in Point
As an example, two years ago -- just as the economy began to go tilt -- I realized that my cost-of-goods-sold was creeping up compared to my overall revenue. I evaluated my costs for my major suppliers and began to work with them to lower costs. I was surprised that so many were willing to offer better pricing if I changed the way I ordered. Some didn’t. In those cases I found new suppliers.

The point is that without the planning process I wouldn’t have necessarily focused on the issue at that that time. I’m glad I did though. By reducing my costs in this way I’ve been able to mange my business through a very difficult time.

Each Monday morning I have a brief but focused dialog in the shop that spells out what my expectations are for the week ahead, i.e. the production plan. That gives me the opportunity to get feedback and discover why the plan may not be possible because of obstacles such as material shortages, tools down, etc. Then, I can go forward and clear the path so the work can get done on time (prioritized solutions).

You may be doing something like this already. If you are I congratulate you and would welcome your comments on how you do it. If you are not doing something like this on a weekly, monthly and annual basis, I encourage you to start doing it. Start with a documented annual financial plan. You may be surprised what will come out of this activity.

Now is a good time to start working on next year’s plan. The monthly and weekly plans will flow naturally. The biggest benefit may be that you will be confident that your actions and the actions of your employees are focused on the best interests of your business.

Finally when you are faced with an important decision -- because you’re operating in the framework of your business plan -- you’ll know what bus to take.

Editor's note: Chip Yawney discovered his passion for woodworking while renovating a historic building he owned with several partners. He founded A Cut Above LLC, Jessup, MD, in February of 2006.

Read more Guest Blogs.


Guest Blogs Welcome
Got a viewpoint you would like to share with our online woodworking community? Woodworking Network welcomes guest blogs from wood products professionals. Submit your opinions to Rich Christianson, Editor at Large, at [email protected].