Here's how you can infuse strategic thinking into your daily work as a franchise owner.

Reflecting daily is crucial for the growth and success of any franchise. Each day, I set aside time to evaluate the performance of my business and practice the principle of "What's GOOD About TODAY?" This dual approach helps me identify what's working well and areas that need improvement, while also maintaining a positive mental state. For instance, noticing consistently popular products allows me to strategize on how to further capitalize on their demand. Reflecting is not just about celebrating successes but also about being honest with oneself and addressing areas for improvement. This habit has been instrumental in making informed strategic decisions and driving continuous growth.

A 15 min break in the morning to reflect on the previous day's wins/losses and to plan the current day has been huge for me. Even better I try to do this at the beginning and end of each week.

One thing I have find helpful in building a franchise business is taken some moments either in the night or in the morning for a quick reflection. Find some 30 minutes to reflect and think about a better way of doing things. For example, if you want a better result from the staff, you need to find a better way of engaging them productively. When they are motivated, they will help you build your business.

Find time to regularly engage with customers. Talk to them, enable them to comment digitally and adapt your offering accordingly. As well as positive adaptions of products, take opportunities to ask why they did not like other products. A sale is a sale, inquiring about a non-sale shows them real interest in their opinion - that's engagement.

Setting SMART goals has transformed businesses and driven success. setting both short-term and long-term goals has helped me stay focused on the bigger picture while tackling daily tasks with purpose. However, I also believe that flexibility is crucial in today's dynamic market. While setting goals, it's essential to remain adaptable and open to adjusting them as circumstances change. By combining goal-setting with flexibility, we can ensure our franchises remain agile and responsive to shifting market conditions. In one of my investments, we set ambitious goals and remained flexible, resulting in a 30% increase in revenue and a 25% increase in market share.

As a franchise expert, I can't stress enough the importance of setting SMART goals. They not only provide a clear direction for your franchise but also serve as a benchmark for measuring success. It's crucial to regularly review and adjust these goals to stay aligned with the ever-changing market conditions and ensure continuous growth and improvement of your franchise operations.

Setting clear goals is essential for guiding strategic thinking and ensuring business success. As a business owner, I focus on establishing both short-term and long-term goals using the SMART criteria—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These goals serve as a compass, aligning daily actions with the broader business strategy. Each task undertaken is a step towards achieving the business’s vision. This structured approach not only keeps the business on track but also provides a clear direction for growth and improvement.

Do your best to make every decision with data! But, there are going to be times when you have incomplete or no data and have to make a call. In those situations, make sure you at least have some form of data management in place to understand over time if that decision was correct or wrong.

Analyze Data Data is a goldmine for strategic thinkers. By regularly analyzing your franchise's data, you can make informed decisions that drive success. This includes sales figures, customer feedback, and operational costs. Understanding the story behind the numbers allows you to pinpoint areas for improvement, identify successful strategies to replicate, and foresee potential challenges before they become problematic. To do this you also need solid tools to extract that data.

Engaging your team is one of the most important steps for gaining strategic insights and ensuring business growth. Encourage open communication and involve them in the planning process. Their direct interaction with customers and day-to-day operations provides valuable practical knowledge. By valuing their input and experiences, you can gain different perspectives on how to grow and improve your business. This collaborative approach not only enhances decision-making but also fosters a sense of ownership and motivation among team members. Team engagement is essential for building a strong, united front that is committed to the success of the business.

Be agile - be like a willow in the wind. A phase I use quite often is disciplined flexibility. It is the ability to set the target, push towards the milestones, and make the necessary adjustments as needed, while sticking to the end goal, reaching the target you set out in with your strategy.