Podcast Episode: Essential Annual Planning Strategies for Startup Leaders with Christy Johnson

As we step into a new year, strategic leaders pause to consider what went well and what to do in the year ahead. That process begins with an annual retrospective. An annual retrospective is crucial for startups—especially those in an intense growth mode. It clarifies what worked, what didn't, and why from internal and external perspectives and from subjective and objective perspectives. The process requires exercises like team SWOTs and customer surveys. This result is a broad view that can help uncover blind spots and provide the necessary context for setting informed, measurable, effective goals for the coming year.

In this episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, BIP Ventures Chief Performance Officer Christy Johnson shares insights based on decades of experience as a startup executive and a venture investor. She explains what startup leadership should prioritize at the start of a new year—from conducting an annual retrospective to setting measurable goals and KPIs. Christy also offers actionable advice on aligning teams, creating visibility, and fostering accountability.

Whether you're revisiting your strategy or planning for growth, this timely episode is packed with invaluable counsel.

Timestamps:

• [01:58] Christy's career background and role on the operating side
• [04:11] The core components of annual strategic retrospective planning
• [10:20] Conducting surveys effectively with minimal cost and time
• [13:51] How to maximize value from SWOT analysis and surveys
• [18:39] Key considerations for assessing performance and building KPIs
• [20:00] Leadership responsibilities: visibility, alignment, and accountability
• [26:12] Tracking and adjusting KPIs based on your strategy throughout the year
• [30:26] Where to start and what to prioritize now
• [33:19] Wrap up and end of the show 

Points of Wisdom:

• "It's not just about the metrics and how you do it; it's about all the rich context around that, both externally and internally, and making sure every person has a voice." [08:52]
• "If you're trying to do an external analysis of competitors, have your success and sales team contribute because they have a unique lens from talking to customers and prospects all the time." [14:40]
• "When people understand all the different mechanics of what makes a company successful, they tend to make better decisions about how they contribute, and it's easier to set goals for individuals and teams." [24:15]

About Christy Johnson:

Christy Johnson is the Chief Performance Officer and General Partner at BIP Ventures. With over 30 years of experience, she has worked with small and scaling companies, gaining hands-on expertise in what it takes to build thriving organizations. From rolling up her sleeves in early-stage startups to leading a technology business as CEO, Christy has experienced the full spectrum of business challenges. Her journey has provided a deep understanding of the obstacles founders and leaders face, making her a valuable resource in helping companies navigate their growth.

At BIP Ventures, Christy partners with portfolio companies to unlock the insights that drive sustainable growth, focusing on efficient scaling, data-driven decisions, and organizational design. Her work includes guiding executive teams to build strong foundations before scaling aggressively and serving as a trusted advisor to help leaders sharpen their decisions and overcome challenges. Follow Christy on LinkedIn.

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