Strategic Planning - Does my Piggery need it?

If you want to increase your chances of success a strategic plan is the way to go.

Your business plan is a blueprint for how your business will work and become profitable, your strategic plan is why all your plans are going to work - the reasoning behind it all.

The Strategic Plan needs to address:

• Your business' vision (what is your ideal?)
  
• What is your mission?  (What do you want to do?)
  
• Who are your customers and what exactly do they want to buy?
• Who are your competitors and how do you compare with them?
• What drivers for change  may effect what our customers want in the future?
• How will these driver impact on your competitors?
• Are  you able to meet your customer's needs today while preparing for future change?
• What are you best at doing?
• Is everything you are doing aligned with your vision?

What are your goals?

• Short term (learn as much as possible about the free range industry)
  
• Intermediate (develop a farm system that allows you to meet your vision)
  
• Long Range (develop a well known and respected brand)
  

SWOT Analysis

• Strengths (marketing experience, butcher?, chef, selling ability etc)
  
• Weaknesses (lack of knowledge of the industry, dont like direct selling etc)
  
• Opportunities (demand, networking with other producers, market for breed)
  
• Threats (deceptive labelling, distance to markets and abattoirs, imports)

 Formulate Your Strategy!