Before you pour your heart (and savings) into launching a new product or service, there's one crucial question you need to ask yourself: Does anyone actually want this thing? Smart entrepreneurs know the secret to success isn't just having a great idea – it's methodically validating market demand through everything from coffee shop conversations with potential customers to strategic pre-sales campaigns before investing serious time and money.

If your plan is going to be successful, you absolutely have to ask and answer questions in three key areas – assumptions about your organization and the world in which it operates, barriers that will prevent you from being successful, and the unintended consequences that might occur if you’re successful. The next time someone says, "Well, obviously..." or "Everybody knows..." in your planning meeting, raise your hand and play devil's advocate.

We all know that sometimes strategic planning can feel like herding cats while juggling flaming torches. But here's the good news: you can ditch those headaches. We have one favorite tool to hold a productive discussion around what your business or organization should do in the future. That way you can transform planning from a painful marathon into a manageable (and dare we say enjoyable?) process.

You've sweated through the strategic planning process, so you're ready to take over the world, right? Not so fast. Even the most brilliant plan will fall flat if you don't have the right systems in place to track your progress and course-correct when needed. That's where Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) come in to help you steer your company towards sustainable growth and success.

A strategic plan isn't just a fancy document for nonprofits or big corporations—it's the GPS your business needs to chart the best course toward your goals and keep everyone on your team headed in the right direction. Like a trusted advisor that grows with your business, a well-crafted strategic plan is what separates the businesses that truly thrive from those that just get by.