Last week, an ad appeared in my inbox from a gardening supply company. Images of yellow flowers, herbs, and tomatoes caught my attention, and the ad’s advice to “plant the right seeds for tomorrow” got me thinking about business. Yes, most roads lead back to business. Even as we are hunkered down from a snowstorm, I am reminded that now is the time to begin envisioning the garden I want to cultivate this year. In a certain way, it sounds like annual goal-setting rituals, right?
The company that sent me this ad doesn’t actually sell seeds. Instead, it provides the supplies necessary to create the right environment for what you want to grow, such as fertilizer, containers, stakes, and soil. It’s important to remember that careful planning and investment in the right tools are critical for growth in business and life.
I’ve noticed in recent months an increase in the variety of approaches to annual planning. Some companies have their 2026 destinations locked in and are now creating the roadmap to get there. At the same time, I’ve seen others who are usually on top of their own planning taking their sweet time or skipping it altogether. Perhaps because of constant environmental changes, there’s an increased feeling of “what will be, will be,” or “it is what it is.” Maybe some folks are just getting a late start. Patterns and approaches in goal setting come and go, so I’m not sure if these diverse approaches are anomalies or trends. Time will tell. As for myself, I’ve set a few solid, heartfelt, desired intentions. That feels right for me for now.
We are excited to kick off our 30th anniversary and 2026 by rolling out a new program, Bench Strength. I feel like we are on the right track—continuing the work we excel at while cultivating new ideas we’re passionate about—in order to help companies solve the critical problem of developing a strong leadership pipeline.
As you look at 2026 and beyond, I invite you to think about whether your business has the tools and supplies (and bench strength!) in place for a successful future. Consider these questions.
- How will you set yourself and your business up to start 2026 from a position of strength? In other words, do you have the right tools and talent in place to flourish? This can mean different things for different companies, but you may ask:
- Do you have a ready stream of prospective clients?
- Do you have the right people on board? In the right positions?
- Are you well-positioned in the marketplace or in your industry?
- What do you want your end results to be? What kind of crops do you want to yield, now and in future seasons?
- Do you want to keep offering the same products and services or diversify?
- How will you identify potential new lines of business and test their marketability?
- If you plan to diversify, what’s the motivation behind that desire, and how would you need to prepare differently than you have in the past?
- Have you determined possible risks and thought through contingency plans for staying the same or changing things up? Even a flourishing garden will run into bad weather – how you deal with it is important.
- Have your emerging leaders received the training and support they need to grow in their roles and take on more responsibilities?
- Are you so reliant on one employee or team that their unexpected absence would derail your work and success?
- Have you thought about how possible shifts in the marketplace could be turned into opportunities?
- Finally, how will you celebrate your successes? Most cultures have festivals and holidays to mark bountiful harvests.
- Why does it matter to have a good harvest?
- Why is it important to give you and your employees the opportunity to stop and enjoy the benefits of everyone’s hard work?
- What are meaningful ways you can acknowledge these accomplishments?
We want to hear how you have prepared and will prepare for 2026. Let us know what you’re wondering about or hoping for as you gather your tools and select your seeds. We’re here to help your garden grow.
