So, you’ve put some time in your diary to create your annual plan. But now what? Well, if you’ve done your 2024 review, that will make it easier. If you haven’t, read this post for what you should hand what to include.
Below, you’ll find some prompts to help you identify key goals and objectives for the year ahead. Some are directly related to your business, and others look at extending your network or learning new skills.
Make a Plan for Within Your Business
Review your successes and not-so-successes (try not to think of them as failures. Everything in business is a learning opportunity. And you are still in business, so that’s a success) and use these to inform what you’ll do in the coming year.
What went well and what would you like to do more of in the future? What did you never quite get round to doing? Did you run out of time or did you lose interest? If it’s the latter, do you want to take it off the list?
What new services would you like to introduce? Cybersecurity continues to be important, but AI (artificial intelligence), zero trust and IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) are all increasing in popularity).
Alongside that, does your existing tech stack have the capability to let you bring in these new services? Do you need to add or streamline the solutions you have? Do you have a vendor partner or access to a cloud marketplace to help you review your options?
Perhaps this year you want to expand your team. Which roles need filling or creating? Where will you find candidates? What does your recruitment process look like and can they work from home?
An External Plan for MSP Growth
Who did you meet this year who you’d like to get to know better? Are there collaboration or outsourcing opportunities that you could explore with other MSPs? Or would you like to prioritise attending local peer group meetings?
What about attending industry events? Do you need to plan travel and accommodation, or arrange for cover? And don’t forget to make a note of when tickets go on general sale!
Make a note, too, to share in your newsletter or on social media that you’re attending events or networking sessions. It helps with building awareness of your business, and finding out ahead of time who else is going. You can plan meetings around the events if appropriate.
Create a Marketing Plan
What about marketing? I know it’s not what most MSP owners enjoy, but it is important! If you want to grow your business next year, you’re going to have to market it.
Maybe 2025 will be the year you finally start a newsletter? With the demise of Twitter/X, and the rapid arrival and swift disappearance of social media platforms (Clubhouse, anyone?), it’s more important than ever to have a list of people who want to hear from you.
No matter what happens to the social channels you use, you’ll always be able to share news and updates with your list. And more importantly, they can get in touch with you!
Or, you might decide that in the new year, you’ll start to blog more regularly and consistently. Perhaps you’d like to share behind-the-scenes content, so a YouTube channel could be an option.
If you’re going to be doing more, can you manage it all yourself? Do you need someone in-house to do the content marketing? Alternatively, can you find an external expert who can do it, or at least create a strategy and give you some advice?
Personal and Team Goals
What are your personal goals for 2025? If you do your annual plan with your team, you don’t have to share these with them. But as the owner, you need to make sure your business can support you in achieving your objectives.
Think about things like time off/holidays or if you want to change your working hours. Do you have any new skills you’d like to learn, or a hobby you’re finally ready to start? How can you manage your work/life balance to ensure your wellbeing needs are being met?
And think about your employees, too. Their mental health is important for the growth and success of your business. So include their goals in your annual plan, and put measures in place to support them further.
Finally, schedule time now in your diary to review this annual plan. Don’t just write it down and file it, either physically or digitally. This should be a living document that you refer to as a guide throughout 2025.
And as such, it’s fine to tweak it or change it completely. Life happens, so be flexible and adapt to whatever happens in the coming 12 months. We’d love to hear your goals for the new year, so let us know in the comments.
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