How to get employees to buy into your business plan

A business plan is a vital document that outlines where you want to be in the future and how you plan to get there.

But devoting time and resources to detailing your goals, strategies and financial projections only works if you can bring your employees with you on this journey.

Getting your team to buy into your business plan, so they feel a similar sense of commitment and enthusiasm, is crucial if you’re to achieve your objectives and drive growth in your organisation.

So how do you do this?

Share your vision

It’s really important to make sure your employees understand your vision and exactly what you want to achieve.


Spend time communicating this to your team, using simple, straightforward language that everyone understands.

As a result, everyone will be clear from the outset on where you want to go, and understand what the future will look like if your plan succeeds.

Encourage feedback from your team

Link business plan to people’s individual goals

Ideally, each and every member of your team will play a part in making your business plan a reality. 

You can encourage a sense of buy-in by communicating to them how their individual roles contribute to the wider success of your organisation, and how their day-to-day work connects with the overall strategy.

If your employees can see the impact and significance of what they do beyond ticking off items on a to-do list, they’ll be more likely to take ownership of their responsibilities and support your objectives.

Set realistic targets

Your employees will only get behind your business plan if they believe the targets you’re aiming for can realistically be achieved.

If they don’t, you run the risk of frustrating your workforce and making them feel disgruntled and put upon. 

Lead by example

Your team will look to you for leadership, so it’s important that you set a positive example.

Show the passion, enthusiasm and work ethic that you would expect from your employees and they’ll be more likely to demonstrate similar commitment to the cause.

Track progress and be prepared to make changes

It’s important to keep a close eye on the progress of your business plan.  Monitor if you’re on course to achieve set targets, and if not, make changes to your strategy in good time.

Make sure your employees are updated and consulted every step of the way, so they can continue to get behind your plan, and understand that it is adaptable in the face of changing circumstances and shifts in the market.

Invest in staff training and development

Your business plan could require staff to change their roles in some way, perhaps by making use of new technologies and processes.

If that’s the case, don’t just throw them in at the deep end. Instead, give them adequate training and support in good time, so they’re able to develop the skills, knowledge and expertise they’re going to require.

Your staff will thank you for this, as it empowers them to hit the ground running, and shows that you value the role they will play in making your business plan a reality.

Acknowledge and reward hard work

If your staff are working hard and delivering great results, their efforts deserve to be recognised.

Create some form of employee recognition scheme, such as inviting Employee of the Month nominations, so you have a forum for regularly highlighting and rewarding outstanding performance.

Again, this can give staff an added incentive to get behind your business plan all year round and work to make it happen.

Ultimately, the people who work for a company are a vital component of its success.

So if you’re looking to drive growth and mark a clear path to the future, getting individuals invested in your business plan early on and throughout its implementation, is critical.