Getting What You Want Starts with a Business Plan
Happy New Year! It’s January, that fantastic time of year that sets people into all kinds of emotional turmoil. Some of us get excited about the thoughts of great success and new opportunities in our lives and businesses. Other people are tired and worn out about having to do it all again. On the other hand others are not sure where to start. Some will take the time to fill in a detailed business plan, only to have it sit on the shelf for the rest of the year. So, why is it that after we have spent so much time building the plan, that we can’t get the right actions we need to do? Then we become so overwhelmed that we close the cover and avoid getting started? That’s right… business plans don’t work! It’s not the plan that is not working, it’s us. But even though we know what to do, we still can’t seem to get it done!
Why Business Plans Don’t Work
Part of the problem when we write out a business plan is not the tasks, but the execution. You see each of us have a set of natural instincts, skills and strengths. We use these to tackle any new tasks. Regrettably, the approach we use doesn’t consider our natural strengths, so we end up fighting a losing battle. On top of this we may have some internal reservations or fears that when added to the mix. They can prevent us from starting in the direction that we want. So now what?
The Plan That Really Works
To successfully move forward in the direction we want we have to get clear about what holds us back. Then take the time through trial and error, to find what works best. Yes, that’s right. Just because it works for a friend doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for you. You will want to include the following areas for careful thought:
- Leadership Skills and Ability
The limits of your leadership will stop your business and sales growth. Spending the time to train in leadership skills or even reading a good leadership book. Your business will only sustain growth as high as your leadership level; the two are directly related. A low personal leadership level will create all kinds of difficulty in your success.
- Business Skills
After studying hundreds of personal clients I have discovered that in each person’s subconscious mind there is a preset level for success. This predetermined level of success has been formed by all the different things we emotionally believe. When we try to move forward in our business or sales career we bump into these, and they can stop us cold. You will know when these show up because you get a feeling of anxiety. The discomfort shows up when you think about the next steps you need to take towards your success. You might be able to work on some of these by yourself, but it is faster and less stressful if you work with a professional in performance psychology
- Mental Mindset
It’s important to understand that it may take some time. Building a good solid foundation of leadership and business skills takes focus. Without this foundation you may fall short of your goals and delay growth. Most business owners and sales professionals’ overestimate what they can do in one year. Also, they underestimate what they can do in three years. Allow yourself time to grow and develop a solid foundation of skills. Then you can set large goals which are reachable on a solid foundation.
- Timing
It’s important to understand that it may take some time to build a good solid foundation of leadership and business skills. Without this foundation you may fall short of your goals and delay growth. Most business owners and sales professionals overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in three. Allow yourself time to grow and develop a solid foundation of skills before you set large goals which are unreachable before your foundation is put together.
- Education
What education or knowledge do you need in order to set things up properly for your success? Personally, I will begin researching a new business idea many months or years in advance. That way I know what I can do, who I need to help me, and how to set up everything for that next step. What does this mean?
When I researched optimizing our main website, I discovered that this was going to take more mental energy and time than I thought. So I decided to hire the right people and let them do what they do best. When I interviewed my current web conversion architect, she was surprised. I explained that I didn’t want to know every little step she was making. All I needed to know was the end result. I will know if were going the right direction as the rankings start to climb. Then I will be able to see what to do next to move towards the goals we had set for this year.
- Physical Conditions
When your business grows so will your need for physical resources like office space, equipment and vehicles. Knowing in advance when the right time to make those purchases prevents impulse purchases and over expenditures.
- Advisory Team
This is the biggest mistake that a business owner can make; the “I can do it all myself” mentality. It’s impossible for you to maintain objectivity when you are emotionally going through something. Having a team outside your business can help you have a safe sounding board to get good advice. The strength of your advisors will determine if you make it though some of the challenges that you will have..
Make a Custom Action Plan
Throw out the business plan that states just your goals and make a plan to discover your way of accomplishing your success. Grab a crayon and a chunk of paper. Then pick one thing you want to get done. Now, think of as many creative ways to accomplish your goal. Then as you move forward, remember to course correct your plan. That way you will stay focused on the right things.
Don’t forget, you eat an elephant one bite at a time. You build a business one task at a time.