During the last 10 years as an executive coach who works with small businesses to multi-billion dollar organizations, I have come to realize that the world would have more success if more people would take the time to create an executable strategic plan. And this plan could be much better operationalized when all assumptions are challenged.

So the question to you is what assumptions are you making about your

There is a locked room with one window that is wide open. Bill and Hilary are dead on the floor. Within the room, is a chair, a table next to the chair and some water and broken glass around the chair and table. How did Bill and Hilary die?

Maybe you already know the answer to this story. Or possibly you are thinking that the killer entered through the window, dropped down the heating vent, or….

First, take a moment to identify the problem. As you attempted to identify the problem, possibly you thought about Who killed Bill and Hilary? or What killed Bill and Hilary? Yet, is not the problem how did Bill and Hilary die?

Then the hardest part of this simple exercise is to challenge all of your assumptions. The facts are very few and yet was your initial answer based upon facts not in evidence? Did you make assumptions in your effort to determine how did Bill and Hilary die? For it is these assumptions that will potentially lead you down a path towards an incorrect solution.

I use this simple exercise as the beginning icebreaker when I work clients through the strategic planning process. Strategic planning goes beyond whom does what by when because this structured process is all about challenging your assumptions.

What assumptions are you making about your business from your clients to your employees, the economic climate, and your competition as well as future growth opportunities? Possibly, could these assumptions be keeping you from hitting your targets and not reaching your desired business results?

Even forward thinkers such as Bill Gates have made assumptions. During the beginning of the PC revolution, Bill Gates was quoted, as saying 640K ought to be enough for anybody. At that time all the graphics and audio common in today’s PC use was not even envisioned. Bill made the assumption that the status quo was going to continue.

Returning back to the Bill and Hilary story, what assumptions did you make? Most people fail to realize that they immediately made an assumption about Bill and Hilary being people. The facts do not support that assumption, but the belief systems of the potential problem solvers interfere with solving this simple problem.

A solid and executable strategic planning process challenges the assumptions of those involved because when you are so busy working in the business your assumptions keeping you from working on the business. When you begin to gather all the information from market share to future market and product growth and you have removed the assumption filter, your mind is now open to all the potential opportunities that before you couldn't truly envision.

During the last 10 years as an executive coach who works with small businesses to multi-billion dollar organizations, I have come to realize that the world would have more success if more people would take the time to create an executable strategic plan. And this plan could be much better operationalized when all assumptions are challenged.

So the question to you is what assumptions are you making about your

Then the hardest part of this simple exercise is to challenge all of your assumptions. The facts are very few and yet was your initial answer based upon facts not in evidence? Did you make assumptions in your effort to determine how did Bill and Hilary die? For it is these assumptions that will potentially lead you down a path towards an incorrect solution.

I use this simple exercise as the beginning icebreaker when I work clients through the strategic planning process. Strategic planning goes beyond whom does what by when because this structured process is all about challenging your assumptions.

What assumptions are you making about your business from your clients to your employees, the economic climate, and your competition as well as future growth opportunities? Possibly, could these assumptions be keeping you from hitting your targets and not reaching your desired business results?

Even forward thinkers such as Bill Gates have made assumptions. During the beginning of the PC revolution, Bill Gates was quoted, as saying 640K ought to be enough for anybody. At that time all the graphics and audio common in today’s PC use was not even envisioned. Bill made the assumption that the status quo was going to continue.

Returning back to the Bill and Hilary story, what assumptions did you make? Most people fail to realize that they immediately made an assumption about Bill and Hilary being people. The facts do not support that assumption, but the belief systems of the potential problem solvers interfere with solving this simple problem.

A solid and executable strategic planning process challenges the assumptions of those involved because when you are so busy working in the business your assumptions keeping you from working on the business. When you begin to gather all the information from market share to future market and product growth and you have removed the assumption filter, your mind is now open to all the potential opportunities that before you couldn't truly envision.

During the last 10 years as an executive coach who works with small businesses to multi-billion dollar organizations, I have come to realize that the world would have more success if more people would take the time to create an executable strategic plan. And this plan could be much better operationalized when all assumptions are challenged.

So the question to you is what assumptions are you making about your

What assumptions are you making about your business from your clients to your employees, the economic climate, and your competition as well as future growth opportunities? Possibly, could these assumptions be keeping you from hitting your targets and not reaching your desired business results?

Even forward thinkers such as Bill Gates have made assumptions. During the beginning of the PC revolution, Bill Gates was quoted, as saying 640K ought to be enough for anybody. At that time all the graphics and audio common in today’s PC use was not even envisioned. Bill made the assumption that the status quo was going to continue.

Returning back to the Bill and Hilary story, what assumptions did you make? Most people fail to realize that they immediately made an assumption about Bill and Hilary being people. The facts do not support that assumption, but the belief systems of the potential problem solvers interfere with solving this simple problem.

A solid and executable strategic planning process challenges the assumptions of those involved because when you are so busy working in the business your assumptions keeping you from working on the business. When you begin to gather all the information from market share to future market and product growth and you have removed the assumption filter, your mind is now open to all the potential opportunities that before you couldn't truly envision.

During the last 10 years as an executive coach who works with small businesses to multi-billion dollar organizations, I have come to realize that the world would have more success if more people would take the time to create an executable strategic plan. And this plan could be much better operationalized when all assumptions are challenged.

So the question to you is what assumptions are you making about your

Returning back to the Bill and Hilary story, what assumptions did you make? Most people fail to realize that they immediately made an assumption about Bill and Hilary being people. The facts do not support that assumption, but the belief systems of the potential problem solvers interfere with solving this simple problem.

A solid and executable strategic planning process challenges the assumptions of those involved because when you are so busy working in the business your assumptions keeping you from working on the business. When you begin to gather all the information from market share to future market and product growth and you have removed the assumption filter, your mind is now open to all the potential opportunities that before you couldn't truly envision.

During the last 10 years as an executive coach who works with small businesses to multi-billion dollar organizations, I have come to realize that the world would have more success if more people would take the time to create an executable strategic plan. And this plan could be much better operationalized when all assumptions are challenged.

So the question to you is what assumptions are you making about your

During the last 10 years as an executive coach who works with small businesses to multi-billion dollar organizations, I have come to realize that the world would have more success if more people would take the time to create an executable strategic plan. And this plan could be much better operationalized when all assumptions are challenged.

So the question to you is what assumptions are you making about your business? Oh and by the way, Bill and Hilary died from being exposed to air, as they were goldfish.