As a manager or team leader, you have other people looking to you, expecting you to know what you’re doing, lead (usually by example), and be ready to make the best use of your resources. Having high level planning skills is a vital part of your job, and that means being prepared for the unexpected and having a Plan B.
When it comes to planning, whether it’s for a project, meeting, or proposal – you’re most likely going to spend a lot of time and effort getting Plan A right – this is, after all, what you actually want to be doing – but life does have a tendency to throw roadblocks up, and sometimes Plan A can fall apart – and if you don’t have a back-up ready, you’re going to be left floundering, with time, resources, employees, and budget all at risk whilst you regroup.
Trying to predict the unexpected or unpredictable isn’t something that’s easy, and sometimes it’s not even possible. But a leader with good planning skills can develop strategies that are adaptable, flexible, and be ready to make changes with minimal disruptions.
Even if you’re absolutely confident in your planning abilities, and 100% certain that a situation is going to go the way you expect, you should always have a backup plan ready, just in case – and here’s 5 reasons why:
- Having a Plan B Makes You and Your Company More Resilient
There are very few actual certainties in life (some say just death and taxes), and if you’re approaching a situation with fluctuating variables (such as staff availability, procuring parts from manufacturers, etc), having a back-up plan makes a lot of sense.
For example: If you’re meeting with a client, having worked on a strategy based on what they ‘said’ they wanted – and you know that it’s not what they ‘need’, if you have a backup that caters to their needs, you can present their idea to them, and then when they realise it’s not appropriate – you can reveal your backup plan, which caters directly to them. - A Backup Plan Can Provide a Safety Net, Allowing More Freedom in Decisions
Sometimes you get a ‘gut feeling’ or an instinct about a certain decision or path, whether that’s investing in a new company, trialling a new supplier, or hiring new team members – but on paper it’s not the ‘best’ option.
By having a backup plan in place (in case it goes wrong), you can be more decisive in making snap decisions, and follow your instincts – sometimes this will work, and sometimes this won’t, but if it doesn’t – you’ve got the process in place to prevent a disaster! - Plan A is Often a Predictable Approach, Plan B Can Allow for Innovation
When you’re making decisions, Plan A is often the one that is business-standard, the one that you know will work, and have a pretty good idea of where it will get you. Plan B can be the route that is more innovative, risky, or just different – it gives you the ability to brainstorm a different option and consider a new approach. - Considering Different Angles Can Identify Business-Critical Operations
If you’re frequently asked to create strategies or plans, falling into a standard process can become a risk – if you’re working by rote, you’re not looking at what’s happening around your industry. When you’ve finished developing your standard Plan A, it’s a good idea to look wider, and create a Plan B that considers the current industry environment and risks – which will help you determine what areas of the business have critical operations, and what you’d do if part of the process or operation failed. - Having Multiple Plans Allows You to Get the Best From Your Employees
People are all different, and can be difficult to predict – you might have created a strategy or process, and expect them to respond in a particular fashion, only to find that they don’t – so what do you do then?
By thinking laterally, and creating contingencies that lead from different outcomes, you can stay calm in difficult situations, provide leadership and guidance, and give your employees confidence that, no matter the situation, you are capable of handling it.
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
We do not sell our lists, and you can easily unsubscribe if you so wish.
At the end of the day, your team and employees rely on you to provide effective leadership, and to lead the company in the right direction.
By having contingency plans in place, and encouraging a culture where people can add their input and innovation, your business will be stronger, healthier, and more inclined to grow.