| p>Have you looked at the map of your business plan | | | | 4. Next, you will need to consider the organization of |
| today, your vision of what you want? Do you know | | | | the business. What structure will you use? Will it be a |
| where you are going and what you must do today to | | | | sole proprietorship, a Limited Liability Corporation, a |
| get there? | | | | partnership or a S Corporation? Do you need a |
| There are six essential questions to consider when | | | | trademark? |
| you begin to build a business plan that are pertinent at | | | | 5. How are you going to manage your resources? |
| the beginning of the process, and during periodic | | | | This includes the bookkeeping system you use and |
| reviews throughout the coming years. For those of | | | | how you handle your taxes. How do you want to |
| you who do not own a business, I would encourage | | | | structure your management of staff? This can include |
| you to take these thoughts, and make slight variations | | | | whether you will create teams, keep a relatively flat |
| so as to apply them to your work or your personal life. | | | | structure, or develop a hierarchical structure similar to |
| They work just as well there as they do within a small | | | | larger corporations. Will you pay a bonus to all |
| business environment. | | | | employees or just some? |
| | | | 6. Lastly, how are you going to communicate what you |
| 1. Who are you, and what do you stand for? This is | | | | do? This includes colors, brand, website, advertising, |
| your identity and it is extremely important for you to be | | | | and the words you use in your marketing and your |
| clear about this from the beginning. These are your | | | | elevator speech. As you think about these, keep in |
| values, and will show up in your policies and | | | | mind that they should reflect the passion you feel for |
| procedures, and your management style. | | | | what you are doing? |
| 2. How do you feel about what you do? Do you love | | | | While they are not the facts and figures of a traditional |
| it, or do you merely tolerate it? It is essential that | | | | business plan, these six questions begin the thought |
| everyone working within the business understand what | | | | process of the purpose behind your business, the |
| you stand for; that they know who you are, and how | | | | passion you feel for what you are doing, and how you |
| much you care about your business. Your customers | | | | are going to communicate both internally and externally. |
| will recognize this immediately, and it will make a huge | | | | Those two ingredients, purpose and passion, are what |
| difference in the service you provide. | | | | will make you successful, and will help you build the |
| 3. What are the people you serve telling you? It is key | | | | map for your business. Once you have the map, the |
| that you understand clearly what they want from you, | | | | details will begin to fall in to place. |
| and what services or product you need to provide to | | | | Today , I will take the time to plan my day and create |
| them. | | | | an overall plan for my business. |