Aren’t business plans just for owners who are trying to get started and need a business loan, or for large companies who like to kill trees and bury employees in bureaucracy?
No! If you’re a business owner, entrepreneur, executive director, or someone who has business responsibilities and cares about the performance of the organization–you will benefit from at least a “Quickie Business Plan!”
What I mean by this: a short, effective, ACTIONABLE plan that helps you focus on what really matters.
There are many compelling reasons to at least do a short business planning session. A major one: there are many published statistics on how effective planning increases odds of success significantly. Considering the high rates of business failure, this should be enough of a motivator.
However, I see LOTS of procrastinating and avoidance of having written goals and actions plans. Why, oh why?! Mainly, it’s due to a perceived lack of time for something that doesn’t feel urgent. Fight that tendency and do yourself a solid by setting a deadline, putting total focus to it for a short session, and get a drafted plan you can work with.
I recommend the simple quickie version to save time but still get the benefits of strategic and tactical planning: summarize the main points on ONE PAGE, then break it down into an ACTION PLAN.
Besides avoiding the appaling business failure statistics, here are some additional reasons to get after it:
- Ensures the key areas of your business are addressed so you don't miss opportunities to 1) save more time and money, and 2) make more money and a bigger difference
- YOU take control by having a plan to work from (versus allowing outside forces to control you)
- Getting all those ideas outta your head and on to a planning page reduces anxiety!
Tip 3 of 7 "Getting ideas outta your head reduces anxiety!" #QuickieBusinessPlan #Envision2017
4. If you already have an old plan, it's time for a refresh since you and your business have evolved (and so has your market)
5. Reviewing this year (and previous years) helps you see patterns and trends and helps you predict and adjust in the year ahead
6. You get to identify and celebrate successes from reviewing this year's happenings (usually we just charge forward and forget to look back)
7. Having your business plan completed (even a rough plan, as long as it feels right and is actionable) will reduce your stress and boost your confidence
Share your thoughts on business planning: I want to hear from you!
hugs, Heather
PS- Check out the FREE PLANNING WORKSHEETS from the fun and effective course, Business Planning for SUCCESS
You don’t want to take time away from your business. I get it. BUT, you are doing yourself, your team, and future customers a huge disservice by not at least having a quickie session… Don’t know the steps to develop a business plan that is actually useful? Never fear, I’ve got you covered.