Welcome to McFarland Minutes! I’m Natalie McFarland, founder and president of McFarland Productions and Director at Off Your Rocker Films. Today, I want to share an effective strategy for businesses to set themselves up for success in the coming year: the 5-Day Executive Team Sprint. This framework has been instrumental for us at McFarland Productions, and I believe it can benefit other small to mid-sized businesses as well.

Introduction to the Executive Team Sprint

Every year, between Christmas and New Year’s, our executive team dedicates five days to strategic planning. This is more than a routine check-in; it’s our blueprint for the year ahead. With holidays typically disrupting the usual flow, we find this time perfect for evaluating our business health and future direction.

During these five days, we focus on key areas to ensure we remain aligned with our goals and mission. Let’s dive into each day’s focus.

Day 1: Lock in the Direction

The first day is all about visioning. We spend our time crafting a clear, singular focus that every team member can articulate. This includes setting revenue targets, identifying our ideal client, and defining success for the year. It’s about understanding what winning looks like at the end of the year.

Every year, we identify one growth lever that can drive the changes we aim for. We also consider what we won’t continue doing, making sure we’re not burdened by ineffective people or services.

Day 2: Sharpen the Offer

Our second day zeroes in on our sales strategy. Clarity is key. Everyone should be able to explain what we offer succinctly. This involves defining our packages, simplifying pricing, and emphasizing our unique value proposition. It’s about understanding the emotional stories and community connections that make us stand out.

Day 3: Authority and Inbound

On the third day, we explore our visibility strategy. What will make people know and trust us? We set goals for outreach and inquiry generation, ensuring our efforts align with our overarching vision and sales strategy. We’ll determine our priorities, whether that’s launching a podcast or another initiative that draws our audience closer.

Day 4: Operational Cleanup

Day four is the time to streamline operations. We evaluate our subscriptions, tools, and processes to identify areas for efficiency and cost-saving. Creating or updating our Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is crucial, as is deciding what tasks our executives should pass on to others.

Day 5: Momentum Triggers

Momentum is essential, and on the fifth day, we initiate the plans we’ve laid out. We identify immediate actions that could sustain our momentum throughout the year. This includes pre-planning content, setting goals for physical market appearances, and leveraging our team for growth. Quick starts build sustained success.

Conclusion and Offer

I’ve encapsulated this strategy into a downloadable form, ideal for executive retreats or planning sessions. You can access it through our website, requiring just an email entry to receive ongoing support and content updates.

Remember, aligning your team with a shared focus and leveraging momentum can transform your fiscal year. For additional help, our team offers strategic planning sessions, which are invaluable if you’re looking to fine-tune your marketing efforts.

This sprint has driven success for McFarland Productions for many years, and I hope it can do the same for you. Let me know how it works out, and feel free to reach out with questions or for a strategy session.

Let’s set 2026 as a year of purposeful progress and achievement. We’ll touch base in six months to check on your progress, and again a year from now to see how much impact this process has had. Until then, don’t let the momentum slow, keep driving forward!