Writing Your 2010 Business Plan Starts With A Mindset!
Taking the time to think about and then write your business and marketing plan is critical to your success. A business plan is a working document that outlines the process,
procedures, and strategies you will use to implement and run your business on a daily basis in order to achieve your vision. But... as with everything in your business... it starts with you and your mindset! How do you see yourself, your role in your business? Do you see yourself as a travel agent / manager / franchise owner and/or independent contractor (retail or home-based) working in a business or do you see yourself as a travel entrepreneur? I see you as a travel entrepreneur.
What's the difference between the two? Good question... It starts with how you see yourself and how you think. Most people are not prepared for this transition. Many small business owners find themselves struggling with managing staff, finances, marketing, sales strategies, technology, social media networking, and the business operations. Doing all of these things at the same time, day in day out, you find yourself faced with working IN the business. A successful travel entrepreneur has figured out how to work ON the business and not just in it!
So Cory, you ask, "How do I begin this transformation?" Again, another good question... I believe it all starts with creating the right frame of mind and thinking like an entrepreneur! Before we discuss the entrepreneurial mindset, let's first start with your current mindset.
As you learn to think like an entrepreneur, it is important to acknowledge where your business mindset is today. How do you currently feel and think about your business?
Marketing? ... I review my sales strategy and plan with my suppliers! Or...I fly by the seat of my pants
Sales? ... I sell too much! Or...I hate selling and try and avoid it all costs!
Finance? ... I have a budget. I spend more than I make! Or...I track all expenses and account for it all.
Technology? ... I avoid it and rely too much on others. Or...I take ownership and spend time learning about it to enhance my business.
Organizational Systems? ... What organizational systems? Or...I take the time everyday to manage my administration.
Social Media Networking? ... NO THANKS - Still trying to figure it out! Or...spend I too much time on Facebook.
Growth plans? ... I am tired and do not want to grow! Or...I want to grow but am not sure how.
Work/ Life Balance? ... Are you kidding Cory! Or...I have figured out how to work smarter.
Adaptability? ... I am not good at managing change and feel quite overwhelmed. Or...I love a challenge - bring it on!
Your transformation in becoming a travel entrepreneur is a journey! Even though you have done many good things in your business, in order to achieve more, it is important to start with understanding yourself and acknowledging that there can be some obstacles that affect your mindset that may be holding you back from growing and developing your business.
I want to highlight 3 key skills for you to adopt and implement into your entrepreneurial mindset that will help you write your business plan:
1. Visualization: forming a mental image of... Visualizing is a powerful tool that helps you gain confidence in yourself. Successful athletes, entertainers, and entrepreneurs all incorporate vision techniques on a daily basis to visualize their goals. By visualizing the task of writing your business plan as something easy and that you can handle with the right resources, it will happen.
2. Positive Mental Attitude: I am a firm believer in having a Positive Mental Attitude as it has been statistically correlated with happiness! The happier we are the more positive, creative, resilient, and better off we are to solve problems and overcome adversity in our lives and our businesses. So smile -take a deep breath and think about how much more successful YOU are going to be by having a positive mental attitude!
3. Setting SMART goals: The acronym SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. It is important that when considering your goals that you ask yourself is SMART? Writing down these goals is an important first step to writing your business plan. A goal is a dream set to paper. Don't just think it. Ink it!
So, where do you go from here? How do you begin? Well, I can help! I offer 1 to 1 Personal Business Plan Writing Sessions that help you begin the process of writing your business plan. The sessions are customized to fit your needs and include tools such as:
· Sample business plan template
· Sample marketing plan and budget template
· Financial spreadsheet templates
· SMART Plan - break your yearly business and marketing plans down to quarterly and monthly goals and sales strategies.
1 to 1 Personal Business Plan Writing Program options:
A 4 week program for $495. This intensive program is for those who are prepared to work hard but want results immediately.
...and for those who need a bit more time...
A 8 week program for $590. This program is for those of you who need a bit more time to complete your plans. I offer 2 payment installments of $295 / month.
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