. . . a Business Plan ? ? ?
Well, do you really need
. . . . a business plan?
That’s a question I’ve considered since I started my business nine years ago. I’ve read many articles on the importance of needing a business plan. The truth is, I’ve written many plans, never quite complete or realistic — but I did it because I was told it’s important. I seldom referred back to it—I was simply glad to have completed the process.
It finally dawned on me as I sat in my first day of boot camp with The Entrepreneur’s Network (TEN) and Derby Management. I asked myself: “Where am I really going without a good plan?” Jack Derby writes: “At the end of the day, your business plan needs to be about success, and success needs to be defined as you and your managers see the future”. My current business plan lacks both clarity and is cluttered with too much nonsense!.
When I travel, I plan my flight, where I will sit, what I will bring, what I hope to accomplish and when I will return. Why has it taken me nine years to realize a good solid business plan will give me the focus I need today to help me make decisions, build a good management team, look at our roadblocks, understand our opportunities and what it will take to create profitable growth!
Up to now in building our business – its been about constantly improving the business by; receiving my black belt in Lean Six Sigma, having all our employees trained in LSS so we can be more efficient, I’ve read countless books on management, marketing and technology – in my mind that’s where my focus really needed to be—sales and quality products. However, with my big Ah ha moment one week ago – where are we going without a good clear plan? Probably nowhere fast!
In the next few weeks, I’m planning a weekend to complete my business plan. I will keep it simple, precise, meaningful and well thought out. I’m contemplating the tactical issues of managing our business, rather than having the business or today’s market manage us. I’m looking forward to where this will take us, stay tuned.
“Choice, not chance determines human destiny.”
-Anonymous
Wendy Brabon