Small businesses commonly move from one year to the next without any coherent plan. You do what you have been doing, and you may be doing some more of it. With this attitude, businesses at best grow incrementally, they stay the same and often lose ground to competitors. In the current climate, where everyone is looking for more for the same or less, and pharmacies are balancing national contracts, local change, and changing business models thanks to digital, having a sense of direction is more important than ever.

All businesses should have a written plan for internal use. It helps if you to step away from short-term day-to-day issues and take time to focus on the strategy for future success. Having a series of clear goals for the business will help to focus activity, and allow you to measure success.