If I don’t literally hear it from my clients, I sense it. I tell them they HAVE to complete their business plan, and I hear “YUCK!!!” It’s even worse once I start discussing the cash flow projection worksheet.
But, I have to say, TO A PERSON, every single client who completes the entire process – business plan (including SWOT analysis and cash flow projections), marketing plan and marketing calendar – come out the other end THRILLED with the clarity and focus for success!
I work with health professionals who are extremely knowledgeable in areas of health and fitness. But business is NOT their thing. And, they don’t HAVE to become extremely knowledgeable in it. But they DO need to be clear what they want to create, what milestones they’d like to see to help them track their progress, identify exactly what products and services they want to offer, and where they would like to be in, say, ten years from now. Then they have a template from which to create the plan to market these services! And this is the plan for success.
Sometimes we have to sweat in order to achieve our goals. For some, this sweating is sitting down, putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and hashing out the plans for success. It works every time!
So, if YOU find yourself avoiding the planning process, don’t fall into the trap that too many other companies fall into (which leads to failure); do the planning for success so you avoid failure!
Margie
http://www.meg-enterprises.com
If you want to get your business up and running NOW, and need intensive help getting going, check out the MEG Enterprises Intensive 8-Hour Strategy Session program.
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