Business Strategy and Budgeting Outline

Presented by Michele Hecken (Alpha Translations Canada)

Proposed Programme – time frame approx. 5.5 hours

9:30 am: Introduction:

Who am I? What do I bring to the table? Experience sharing

Audience questions to customize workshop (explain what we will be working on and what we will not be working on)

The Crisis and its implications on the Language Industry (interactive, talk about fears, opportunities and expectations)

10:00 am: Workshop:

10:00 - 10:45 Basics: To plan or not to plan? That is not the question!

1.1. Why bother planning? (Sample problem or decision from class to use throughout workshop as an example, e.g. adding an additional service or product line)

1.2. It all starts with YOUR Vision!

•     Create your future first: Your painted picture

•     Planning is backwards – literally!

1.2. Goals, Tasks and Milestones

1.3. Metrics: What does it all mean?

10:45 – 11:15: Break

11:15 to 12:45 It doesn’t need to be difficult – Let’s get started!

2.1. The most important thing: It’s YOUR plan, make sure it fits!

•     Different strokes for different folks

2.2. The One Page Plan (Yes, really!)

•     What is it, and who uses it?

•     How it works (interactive, group exercise with handouts and instruction)

12:45 – 14:45: Lunch Break

14:45 – 16:15 The “B” Word

3.1. Why Budget?

•     Understanding your financial statements – why it’s crucial

•     Numbers are your friend – Really!

•     A simple set-up model

3.2. Reporting

•     You don’t know what you don’t know

•     Open Book Management – Still scared?

16:15 – 16:45: Break

16:45 – 17:45 Ok, so now what? Tying it all together

4.1. It’s no good in your drawer!

•     Practical tips for quick implementation

•     Getting staff buy-in

•     Metrics: What gets measured gets done!

•     Step-by-step plan for planning (summary, handout)

•     Creating focus and consistency – that’s your job!

4.2. Meetings, yes meetings!

•     Create effective meetings people will want to attend!

•     Daily huddle (handout)

•     Weekly meetings

•     Sample Agenda (handout)

4.3. Common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

•     SOS: Shiny Object Syndrome

•     Superhero Syndrome

17:45 - 18:00 or longer: Q&A