Planning or Brainstorming?
I don’t like business planning, it seems to drab and boring to do. But I love brainstorming, and figuring out what steps I’ll need to take to start my next business. Sitting around with friends over coffee thinking up all the people who might need my next product - that’s exciting - and it is business planning.
Many shoestring business people think they don’t need a plan. But without a plan it is easy to get off course, or be distracted. Having a plan, even if it is a short, one page handwritten plan, helps you find those hidden pitfalls that you don’t like to think about. It’ll help you prepare.
So here is your one step short quick and easy step for today - regardless of where you are in your business.
Handwrite three pages (from your heart) about where your business is today. What is the reality.
Here are a five questions to get you started:
- How many clients do you have?
- Is there any cash flow or money coming in?
- Do you have marketing materials?
- Who is your customer base?
- What are you selling?
Taking a quick reality check is a good way to jump start a business plan.
Ready to take the next step?
Try the One Page Business Plan from Amazon, and read this blog for more quick ideas.
The One Page Business Plan: Start with a Vision, Build a Company! with CDROM
If you are in Colorado, consider taking my Conscious Business Master Mind Intensive
1 response so far ↓
1 Asako // Sep 15, 2007 at 6:00 pm
I also do not like planning. It is more fun to brainstorm ideas. But after putting together a first version of business plan for my start-up including a huge excel sheet analysis, I found another benefit. I can explain my start-up much better to other people in 2-3 minutes. And I look much more official! It is funny people consider it more official, because other than papers, nothing has changed.
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