As another year-end approaches, many agency owners are beginning their 2026 strategic planning sessions. You might be setting goals for one, three, five, or even ten years ahead. But are those goals grounded in a clear understanding of your agency’s current value and position in the market?.
Don’t Confuse Motion with Progress
With college basketball season tipping off, the words of the legendary John Wooden ring true for business owners as well:
“Don’t mistake activity for achievement.”
Being busy doesn’t always mean you’re moving closer to your goals. Strategic planning isn’t just about filling a calendar — it’s about focusing your time, energy, and resources on the initiatives that will truly move the needle.
An agency valuation helps you see which parts of your business drive the most value — and which need improvement — so your decisions are based on insight, not instinct.
Not all valuations are created equal. One of the most powerful — and often overlooked — strategic planning tools is a Strategic Market Analysis, a customized form of agency valuation. It goes beyond the numbers to help you understand where your business stands today, where it’s headed, and what it will take to reach your long-term goals.
Begin with the End in Mind
The best leaders “begin with the end in mind.” Whether your horizon includes growth (organic or through acquisition), leadership transition, or an eventual sale, you can’t chart the right course without knowing your starting point.
That’s where the INS Strategic Market Analysis comes in.
Our customized valuation process acts as your GPS — showing you:
- Your current position: Financial strengths and weaknesses, employee efficiency, technology utilization, internal versus external value, and market competitiveness
- Your capacity for growth: Borrowing potential to acquire another agency or invest in expansion
- Your long-term roadmap: How to align today’s actions with your five-year (and beyond) vision
- Your options: Whether you’re best positioned for organic growth, acquisition, internal perpetuation, or a strategic sale
Once you know your starting point and your ideal destination, you can plan with confidence — setting clear milestones for 2026, 2027, and beyond.
Make 2026 the Year of Intentional Growth
Whether you’re planning to sell in the next few years or simply want to strengthen your position in the market, a Strategic Market Analysis provides the clarity and confidence you need to plan effectively.
Don’t go into another year throwing darts and hoping to hit the bullseye. Use the insights from a customized agency valuation to shape smarter goals, investments, and exit strategies.
Schedule your customized Strategic Market Analysis today to uncover your agency’s true value and chart a clear course for growth.
