It’s October already. Pull out your business plan and take a look at your mission, your vision and your goals for 2012. How’s it going?
What? No plan? No problem. Just consider how last year went and that’s what will probably happen this year. Only a little worse – or maybe a little better.
Dusty, old plan? Let’s update it. Your life is flying by. If you want a quantum leap, or at least a major change of momentum, putting a plan together may help you think in dramatically different ways. Those thoughts of what you would rather have, or what you really want, are what’s required to revolutionize your life. Without a plan, you might be at the mercy of someone else’s plan. And there may not be a starring role for you.
Writing down what you want, from your business and your life, is a business plan. Easy enough? It doesn’t have to be a chore. Business planning can be fun, creative and brilliant. It can be liberating and flexible, and a powerful way to manifest your dreams.
One of the tricky things about a plan is that you have to launch your intentions in the uncharted waters of the future. Still, it is worth writing a plan and updating that plan, because it is a powerfully positive tool for making sure what you want happens.
Also, does everyone have the same plan at your company? Written or unwritten, people play games. There is a purpose – a point – to their behaviors. Are you playing the same game? It gets especially kooky when it is a family business.
So grab your plan and a pencil – or your iPad or laptop – and start writing or updating.
• Start with your mission. Answer this question, “Why am I in business?” in less than 12 words. Work it over a few times until you really care about your mission. Now is the time to get inspired.
• Consider your target market. Who really cares about what you do? Who would be willing to pay you for it?
• Review your goals. Write down your five juiciest goals. Include a specific financial benchmark with a deadline to meet it. “More money” is not a goal. “Sales at $100,000 per month in fourth-quarter 2012” is a goal.
• Update your organizational chart. Take your pencil and cross through the name of the person who needs to go now. Next, look for someone who is not quite ready for a promotion but shows willingness and has “fizz.” Promote that staff member now. Take a risk.
• Confront the money, honey. A budget helps you set financial goals and create a sound selling price. Want to make it really easy? Double or triple your prices. Getting really profitable and collecting sales now can fix your business.
• Review your marketing plan and sales processes. How much are you willing to spend on marketing? Allocate the dollars and focus on just a few main marketing vehicles. Then, incorporate the launch dates into your calendar.
• Update your top projects list. Assemble a list of five to 10 projects that will move you in the direction of your goals. Assign someone to be in charge of each project and set due dates and interim meetings to check progress.
In the end, business planning is simply clarifying what you want and committing to a written course of actions that will move you in that general direction.
Ellen Rohr is an author and business consultant who offers systems for getting focused and organized, making money and having fun in business. Her books include “Where Did the Money Go?” and “The Bare Bones Weekend Biz Plan.” She can be reached at ellen@barebonesbiz.com.
