So, you have a
Business Idea and a plan of how it is going to work.
Is it in your head or
on Paper?
Does it matter?
Let’s have a look…
Where to start, whether it’s in your
head or on paper.
First you
need to start with yourself.
What are you
great at?
Is there
anything that your business is going to be doing that you do not feel
comfortable with yet? What are your reasons for the business? Is it your choice?
Where would
you like your business to go?
If you are
starting on your own, are you planning on growing it to more than yourself, if
so, how are you going to work towards this sort of growth?
As I am
assure you are aware once you are completely involved with your fantastic
business it will be very difficult to take a step back and make the change,
without it being at the cost of your valuable time, customers or
productivity. This is why a plan becomes
important.
From the
very start these 3 things are imperative…
- The Mission Statement
- Business Model
- Business Plan
This Blog is not about how you write a Business Plan. It is the
importance and the difference of one.
Paper vs. Head
Think of
something you do every day, for example, cleaning your teeth. Imagine doing it
yesterday and now imagine the next time you do it? What’s the difference? How
are you feeling whilst doing it yesterday and how are you feeling doing it next
time? I am going to take a guess here and say it is a reflection on how you are
feeling now.
You are
creating images in your mind reflecting on your state now. These are not always
true.
Have you
ever had a conversation with someone where they said ‘well that’s not how it happened’?
You believe you are right and they believe they are. Who is? You both are
because you are remembering and that is not fact.
“Did… happen
or did I dream it” – Sound familiar?
Paper does
not change depending on your state, morning or night, memory or dream. It is a
firm place to measure it form and you cannot change it to make you feel better,
which, as I am sure you are aware that is only a small satisfaction.
In your head…
Fantastic
start, you have a plan of some sort.
Having a
plan in your head is great; it is fluid, flexible and always adapting to your
ever changing environment. (You will be surprised how many businesses have
never even come to thinking about a plan)
Should I put
it on paper?
Well you
probably didn’t think it was necessary or relevant. If you know it, who else
needs to?
Isn’t it
just for the bank?
You have
made it this far right?
All the above makes a lot of sense and has
its place. But let me ask you a few more questions…
Does
everyone in your business know of your plan?
Are you all
heading in the same direction?
Are you
making enough money?
What are you
measuring your performance against?
The
fantastic part about having your plan written down is that you have something visible
to measure it against. You get an exact feel for where you are now to where you
want to be.
The Business
plan needs to be as fluid and as flexible as your business. Never let your plan be all facts
and figures if it is, will you connect with it? Definitely not, it is not truly
yours.
Let your
values be part of your mission statement and your business model.
Start your
plan on paper from here – but do it from a moment of passion, when you have a moment
of thinking about all the great things you want to do with your business. YOUR PLAN WILL FLOW!
On Paper
Great start,
and what does it show?
When was the
last time you saw it?
Is it based
on research or on what you would like it to do?
Is it fully
developed or did you get bored?
Was it just
for the bank?
This is
great that you have it on paper and you have taken the time to write it down.
When you look at it, is it feeling like your business? A business that you can
really connect with?
A plan is
showing you what you would love your business to do and what you need to do to
get there.
Your business is great and it is yours, it is your
lifestyle, your vehicle you have chosen to get you to where you want to go.
There are absolutely no conditions that should be on you or
your business. You should never feel uncomfortable. It is different from you,
but it is a reflection of yourself.
The trick is
to pull it together.
Your
potential success + your product or service + your place in the market = your inevitable
success.
There is a
lot to do to put a great plan together and there is no exact way. So do it your
way!
YOUR
BUSINESS IS GREAT, SHOW YOURSELF, SHOW THE WORLD!
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