Business Planning is like Flossing

You’re going to the dentist and you know the questions that are coming.

“How often do you floss?”

Then there is your answer and the real answer.

“Oh… about once a week (meaning I am gonna do it daily but it is a pain and time consuming so it is really now and again or never)

So, I guess having some “plaque” on your business plan is a good thing, in that at least you have a business plan.

Most businesses do not have a Plan!

The perception about Planning is that it will be a waste of time as they are “complex, time consuming and theoretical and I have too much work to do in any case!”

The reality is that you do not know where you are going or whether the direction is the right one in the first place unless you step back and remind yourself what you are in this for and what problem “am I solving for others”.     

Everything flows from this start point.

From there you can test and measure:

• who actually needs you?

• where are they likely to be?

• how do I get their attention?  

• how many do I need to convert to make my business viable and sustainable?

• what help and resources do I have vs what help and resources do I need?

So you do not need a 50 page document to set up a Plan.

You need what “You” need to create a road map of what to do more of and what to stop doing.

This can be any form that works for you.

The key elements listed above must form the basis of your Plan.

Start by scoring your current business by using the YTM Business Plan Gap Analysis ( commonly known as Business Health Check) and identify where your plaque may be hiding and then work (floss) from there.

Here is a link to the YTM Business Plan Gap Analysis tool www.yourtimematters.com.au

Leigh Powell is a business strategist and mentor with Your Time Matters and assist small businesses to hone their propositions and attract and convert more prospects. You can book a complimentary chat with him, HERE to help you decide your next steps.