Have
you ever heard the saying, "If you don't know where you are going,
where do you think you will end up?"
Planning
is very important to us as an association and also as individuals,
and I have asked the AAPG Advisory Council (AC) to begin a new long-range
plan for the Association. The new plan will incorporate some provisions
of AAPG's previous long-range plans (the last plan was published
in 1998). Many changes have occurred in the industry since that
time and thus AAPG needs to update its plans.
One of
the AC's functions, according to the AAPG bylaws, is to do long-range
planning. The Council had its first meeting on the new plan last
August. The new plan is being facilitated with help from a consulting
firm, Tecker Consultants.
A very
preliminary draft resulted from the August meeting. The Advisory
Council and other AAPG leaders will again work on the plan at a
meeting in Tulsa in early February at the AAPG Leadership Meeting.
At the
first meeting the AC was introduced to the process. The AC discussed
current conditions and future assumptions regarding the petroleum
profession. This discussion led to defining the core ideology for
the Association, which consists of two elements:
-
Core purpose — AAPG's reason for being.
-
Core values — essential and enduring principles
that guide the Association.
The AC
also worked on a big "audacious" goal and a vivid description of
what future success would look like. The AC established several
goal areas on which AAPG should focus. Strategic objectives were
also discussed for each goal area.
Since the
work is in progress, I will discuss the finalized plan and details
in a later column. Future planning sessions will focus on strategies
to undertake in the next one-to-three years to achieve goal areas
and on action plans to implement the strategic plan.
As an individual,
you too should be planning. Whether you work for a company or yourself,
you should have three plans: a business plan, a professional plan
and a personal plan.
-
Your business plan as a consultant should
ensure that you have financial staying power. A key rule that we
all learn as consultants is "cash flow is king." The business plan
will describe what must be done and how to do it.
If you
are an employee, the same rules apply: Develop a business plan for
yourself. Set goals or targets that you want to achieve in the company.
Many companies
have some kind of a performance contract that an employee must fill
out. Meet the goals and perhaps you will earn a bonus — or get
a promotion! All plans should be reviewed periodically and revised
as circumstances dictate.
-
Your professional plan should include such
items as honing your geologic skills, learning about legal documentation,
building your network, etc.
Part of
your professional plan should be to become active in the geologic
community. By doing so, you build your network. Your network is
important for a whole host of reasons, including its role in providing
information, advice, contacts, possible future employment, support,
etc.
Constant
and never-ending learning and improvement is key.
-
Your personal plan should be all about you
and your family. Discuss your other plans with family members and
work as a team. Personal plans include vacations, children's education,
retirement, health, fitness, spiritual, etc.
Planning
is important to all of us. I am reminded of the saying, "Business
is like riding a bicycle — either you keep moving or you fall down."
You need to plan for the direction you are moving, however. If you
don't have a plan, get one.
AAPG is
planning for the future, and so should you!