Every business owner knows that success isn’t achieved alone. Whether you’re running a tradie business in Brisbane or a marketing agency in Melbourne, your ability to plan for the future depends heavily on your people—the very ones working day-to-day to bring your vision to life.
Smart Aussie business owners recognise that employees aren’t just a cost on the books—they’re key stakeholders in your strategic planning process. And the better aligned your workforce is with your business goals, the higher the chances of achieving meaningful, long-term success.
As Funding for Good aptly puts it, “Engaging employees who are not in leadership roles can often make the difference between a strategic plan that succeeds and one that flops.” So, how do you actually get your team involved in your next planning cycle?
1. Be Crystal Clear on Business Goals
Your team can’t support what they don’t understand. That’s why it’s crucial to clearly communicate your business objectives—whether you’re expanding interstate, pivoting your services, or tightening your margins. When employees understand the bigger picture, they’re more likely to align their daily efforts to support it.
Think about how you’re delivering these messages: Is it a staff town hall? An all-team email? Or perhaps a quick video update from the founder? Whatever the method, transparency builds trust, and trust drives engagement.
2. Seek Feedback from the Ground Floor
How often do you actually ask your team what they think? You might be surprised by their insights. Your frontline staff, whether in sales, operations, or admin, often have the clearest view of what’s working and what’s not.
Take a leaf from ‘The Entrepreneur’s book’: ask each team member to share three things they believe are working well, and three that aren’t. Then work with them to do more of what’s effective and scrap what’s not. You’ll not only unearth valuable ideas, but you’ll also show employees that their voice matters.
3. Use Surveys to Dig Deeper
If your team is hesitant to speak up in meetings, a survey can be a game-changer. Anonymous staff surveys are a simple and effective way to gather honest feedback—no awkwardness, no judgment.
Even a short, well-designed questionnaire can give you a pulse check on staff morale, engagement, and ideas for growth. Bonus: It also signals that leadership is open and listening.
4. Offer a Bit of Training
Strategic planning isn’t something most employees are trained in—and that’s okay. But if you want your team to participate meaningfully, it helps to give them a crash course.
Consider offering a short session or workshop that explains your planning process, goals, and how their input fits in. As Spider Strategies suggests, building up employees’ strategic thinking skills not only boosts their confidence but helps them better understand where the company is heading.
5. Hold a Focus Group
Much like a customer focus group, you can host an internal session dedicated to discussing what’s working in the business—and what’s not. Frame it as a collaborative workshop, not just another meeting on the calendar.
Let employees know this is their chance to speak freely and contribute ideas. And then, most importantly, act on the feedback where possible. That’s how you show you’re serious.
6. Communicate Often and Honestly
One of the biggest gripes from employees is that they don’t know where the business is going—or worse, they don’t feel part of the journey. Don’t let that happen.
Whether it’s via email, or a team-wide catch-up, keep the lines of communication open. Let your staff know when planning is kicking off, how they can get involved, and why their input is vital.
As Forbes puts it: “Employees don’t know or care much about strategic planning because they’re either unaware of the objectives or staff members aren’t kept up to speed.” Simple, clear communication is how you fix that.
Final Thought: Tap Into Your Most Underrated Asset
Your employees are more than just a cost centre—they’re a treasure trove of ideas, knowledge, and energy. They want to see the business thrive, and when they’re part of the planning process, they’re far more likely to help make that happen.
So next time you’re mapping out a strategic plan, don’t do it behind closed doors. Get your team involved early, give them a voice, and watch how it transforms your outcomes.