This is that time of the year where organizations start working on their next year budget and operating plan. In my experience as a corporate exec, despite the process being in principle addressed to produce, shape and fund ideas for developing the business ahead, such process is routinely reduced to an accounting exercise.

Within a couple of weeks you and your regional organization will likely be given spreadsheet and presentation templates to compile and you will have to commit your sales, operation and finance teams to work on rolling out figures as opposed to work on shaping ideas to deliver such figures.

This approach - in my experience - is one of the primary reasons why operational plans frequently lack substance. They are not the product of a well-thought-out process but rather an exercise in fulfilling planning process requirements.

In small organizations, doing a good job can be even more challenging. There are simply not enough resources to plan with the necessary depth and quality, forcing leaders to compromise and do the best with what they have. As a result, the plans often fall short of being truly effective.

These are some of the gaps I aimed to fill when establishing Exponasia Growth Partners, a boutique business development partnering firm focused on Southeast Asia. Quality planning should not be the prerogative of large organizations with massive resources but can be implemented by smaller organizations through expert external support.

If you are unhappy with the status quo and need help generating and giving shape to new ideas in your annual budgeting and operating plan process, reach out to us; we can help determine the most suitable directions for your business to expand in accordance with your vision.