Your Business in a Minute – Who’s your BOS?

Most companies start with a comprehensive business plan, a lengthy document often exceeding 20 pages detailing operations, sales, marketing, finances, and more. While thorough, these plans are rarely read by anyone other than their creators and have little relevance for the broader team. This lack of engagement creates a gap between strategy and execution—a gap that the One-Minute Strategic Plan bridges perfectly.

At TeamRevenue, we’ve distilled the traditional business plan into a concise, actionable document that aligns your team in just one minute. This approach is more than a tool; it’s the foundational step in implementing a Business Operating System (BOS) that drives alignment, accountability, and growth.

What is the One-Minute Strategic Plan?

The One-Minute Strategic Plan is a single-page summary of your business strategy. It captures the essential elements of your traditional business plan in a format that’s easy for everyone in your organization to understand and adopt. Here’s what it includes:

• Mission Statement: The concise statement that describes your organization’s purpose and the value it provides.
• Vision Statement (BHAG): Your “Big Hairy Audacious Goal” for where your company is heading and what success looks like.
• Core Values: The principles that guide behavior and decision-making.
• Brand Promises: Commitments that differentiate your business.
• Strategic Objectives: Key priorities driving your strategy.
• Short-Term Goals: Immediate priorities for the next quarter or year.
• Long-Term Goals: Aspirations for the next three to 3-5 years.

This “cheat sheet” simplifies complex strategies, ensuring everyone is on the same page and rowing in the same direction—a concept famously emphasized by Patrick Lencioni in The Five Dysfunctions of a Team.

Why Traditional Business Plans Fall Short

Think back to your school days when preparing for a tough science exam. Despite hours of study, much of what you crammed was forgotten soon after the test. Traditional business plans face a similar challenge. While they’re necessary for funding or deep strategic planning, they fail as day-to-day operational tools because of:

1. Too Much Detail: They overwhelm employees with irrelevant information about their roles.
2. Limited Accessibility: Only a handful of leaders read and remember them.
3. Poor Adoption: They fail to inspire action across the organization without clarity and focus.

The Power of Simplicity

The One-Minute Strategic Plan solves these problems by distilling the complex into the actionable. Here’s how:

• Alignment Across Teams: Each department understands how its work connects to the company’s overall success.
• Increased Engagement: Employees are more likely to adopt and act on a plan they can quickly comprehend.
• Improved Focus: The plan highlights what matters most, eliminating distractions.
• Clear Accountability: When everyone knows the goals and priorities, holding teams accountable is easier.

How the One-Minute Plan Fits into The BOS

At TeamRevenue, the One-Minute Strategic Plan is the cornerstone of our Business Operating System we call The BOS. The BOS is a framework for aligning your entire organization around clear goals, structured processes, and a culture of accountability. Here’s how the plan integrates into The BOS:

1. Foundation for Alignment: It ensures that everyone, from leadership to frontline employees, understands your mission, vision (BHAG), and values.
2. Guidance for Decision-Making: Teams use it to prioritize efforts and make decisions aligned with strategic objectives.
3. Accountability Framework: It is a reference point for tracking progress and ensuring that all activities contribute to your goals.

6 Steps to Create Your One-Minute Strategic Plan

Ready to build your own One-Minute Strategic Plan? Follow these steps:

1. Define Your Mission and Vision (BHAG)

• Your mission is your “why”—the purpose behind your business.
• Your vision (BHAG)  is your “where”—the destination you’re working toward.

2. Clarify Core Values

• Identify the principles that define your company culture and guide decision-making.
• Ensure they are actionable and memorable.

3. Articulate Brand Promises

• Highlight the unique commitments that set your company apart in the marketplace.

4. Set Strategic Objectives

• Focus on 3–5 key priorities that will drive your business forward.

5. Establish Goals

• Break objectives into short-term (quarterly or annual) and long-term (3–5 years) goals.

6. Create a Visual Summary

• Organize the above elements into a one-page, easy-to-read and visually appealing document.

5 Benefits of the One-Minute Strategic Plan

Here are just a few ways this approach transforms your business:

1. Accelerates Adoption: A simple, clear plan is easier to communicate and embrace across the organization.
2. Drives Accountability: With clear objectives and goals, tracking progress and holding teams responsible is easier.
3. Enhances Agility: A concise plan allows for quicker adjustments when circumstances change.
4. Improves Customer Focus: Employees understand how their roles impact customer experience and satisfaction.
5. Supports Long-Term Growth: The plan keeps everyone focused on sustainable success by aligning short-term actions with long-term goals.

Real-World Impact

In my 20+ years as a business leader and founder, I’ve seen the transformative power of the One-Minute Strategic Plan. It’s not just a document; it’s a tool for clarity, alignment, and execution. Whether it’s guiding startups through early growth or helping established companies refocus, this simple framework has consistently delivered results.

Begin Your BOS Journey

The One-Minute Strategic Plan is the first step in building a robust Business Operating System. It sets the foundation for a culture of alignment, accountability, and purpose. Imagine the power of an organization where every employee, from reception to shipping, understands their role in achieving your company’s mission.

Are you ready to take the first step toward a more aligned and effective business? Let’s connect and explore how the One-Minute Strategic Plan and The BOSTM can transform your organization. Together, we’ll build a framework for lasting success.

TeamRevenue, empowers businesses to drive sustainable growth. We provide our clients with the revenue enablement experts, best practices, and an accountability framework to optimize revenue teams, systems, and processes to drive results. We’ve worked with hundreds of B2B companies worldwide, breaking the cycle of underperformance. Helping them grow faster, communicate better and bring new energy to their organizations.