Well the last week has been spent strategic planning with a group in Singapore. Currently I am situated in an apartment building 26 floors above ground level overlooking the city. They look after you well and the city itself is very dynamic.

Singaporeans have a very intense way of dealing with business. Work days start early and finish late. Clients are constantly entertained and business is touted over meals, shows and golf. Although we do this in Australia, America and the UK, it is not as intense. Many of us have set working days and clients are entertained in a much more informal way.

Singaporeans are extremely competitive and businesses do whatever they have to do to climb their way to the top. This is a very male dominated culture and family dynasties are abundant. If you know someone who knows someone else, your future is assured.

Strategic planning is always best done away from the office environment and Singapore has proven an interesting location. You get to bond with your co-workers and think outside your home square. Many people forget that working on the business is just as important as working in the business. If you don’t take the time out to plan then your business runs the risk of stumbling along without direction or a destination or worst still going in the wrong direction.

Strategic planning means looking at your long term goals and strategies and determining the best pathway to get there. It is almost impossible to do when you are working day to day as they require two different modes of thinking. I highly recommend all strategic planning is done out of the office and Singapore is just one of many fabulous locations to visit.