I was talking to a client the other day. She was telling me about an idea she had. I have known her a long time. She is one of those ‘ideas people’; a person with a lot of ideas and big plans.

I always love talking to ideas people. They have big imaginations and see things many people can’t see. They tend to be optimists and believe that all things are possible.

I personally enjoy talking about ideas but am much more interested in figuring out how to make it a reality - figuring out the practicalities and processes that make an idea come to life. This is why she sought me out.

She knows that she needs both: an idea and the process. Sometimes one person can fulfill both roles. Sometimes you need a team.

As Simon Sinek points out in his book Start with Why, people need to be inspired by their vision and have the knowledge of how to make it happen. Otherwise they may end up as starving visionaries, people with the answers but never accomplishing much themselves.

Many entrepreneurs or successful people consider themselves to be ideas people. But, realistically, those who are most successful are the people who know how to build the processes to get things done. They may have an idea, but they also know how to accomplish it.

A business or organization is a structure and has processes. It requires people who know how to build those structures and systems.

The reason why so many businesses or programs fail is because passion needs structure to survive. The idea without the plan or passion without the structure won’t usually end in success.

As psychologist Adam Grant says, it is never the idea, it is always the execution.

For any business, project, or plan to be successful, you need to look beyond the enthusiasm of an idea and become enthusiastic about its execution.

You need action. Strategy and tactics.

Strategy is your overarching goal. Your long game. Think of it as a transport truck. It can be turned around, but not quickly. So, having an overarching plan or goal for at least a year is required.

You also need tactics, those specific action steps that will help you accomplish your bigger strategy or goal.

Both are needed, but they must be done in the right order. Strategy comes first.

This is where I was with my client.

She had an idea and wanted help formulating a plan. Together we came up with a 1-year strategy and we mapped out the tactics she will take in the next few months to make it happen.

People and businesses who are most successful have a plan – at least a 1-year strategy and corresponding tactics to make it happen.

If you’re in business, for-profit or non-profit, and haven’t created a strategy with related tactics, I encourage you to take the time to do so now. It may make all the difference.

If you need support in this process, we are here to help. Free 30-minute consultations are available.