In a few hours, I’ll be heading to my doctor for my annual physical check-up. In Canada, this review, which includes a number of standard tests, is covered by the provincially managed (with some federal funds) universal health insurance program. So far, all is well. A few years ago, my GP detected some potentially serious test results, for which he co-ordinated a review with a specialist. After another review and second opinion (and even more testing), the GP and specialists concluded that the best thing to do is nothing. The disturbing test results disappeared the next year.
Later, he noticed in the annual test that my blood sugars were at pre-diabetic levels. This I took extremely seriously, as my late father developed type-2 diabetes about the same age. He died a decade later from diabetic complications. I set out to enhance my exercise program, watch my diet and started daily blood glucose monitoring. We’ll see how things are going — alas I’ve been slipping a bit on my dietary discipline. Fortunately, because of an allergy issue, I need to see the doctor every few weeks for routine allergy shots — this allows me to raise any issues well before they become serious, without causing anyone much inconvenience.
I’m sharing these personal health stories because they, in my opinion, reflect the wisest approach to business practices, especially sales and marketing. The annual check-up’s parallel is the annual business planning meeting (and plan). This is essential, but if you regard it as a static document to write once a year and then file away, you will run into problems when otherwise unexpected issues occur. You need to be able to monitor things and change course, quickly, if necessary, using your business plan as a guiding framework.