Planning retreats can be fun – a chance to go offsite with colleagues you don’t get to see often enough in the office. They can also be a chance to get air time for the plans and ideas you’ve been developing. And of course, it follows that this is an opportunity to get support, financial and otherwise, for the game plan you favor.
Too often, senior managers show up with ideas that may be well developed, but without the data to support it. If the initiative involves growth to some degree – a new product or variation, an expansion market or a new marketing program to increase revenues from existing offerings, market insights and knowledge is critical. Usually, what helps to sell the idea is an appropriate combination of market data and insights: What do customers want? What does the channel think? What are competitors doing, or likely to do, both independently and in response to your proposed initiative?
All great questions that beg great answers. Don’t let your lack of preparation spoil the party.
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