We say it all the time -- when you start your own business, you need to sit for a minute and think about how your business is going to look in five years. Really think about it -- how big will it be? How many people will be working for you? What is your reputation five years in the future? And most importantly, what will be your role in your own company when it hits that five year milestone?

The reason for imagining your business in five years is to identify what you can do RIGHT NOW to ensure your vision materializes. It's one thing to want something. It's a whole other thing to plan for it, prepare for it and to create an action/goals list that will get you there.

Here are three items that should be on everyone's action plan -- these will help create a foundation to support the long term growth of your business:

1. Create policies and procedures right from the beginning. It may only be you working right now, but eventually you will hire people to help. The only way to insure tasks are completed the way you want them done and to insure your employees behave in a way that properly represents your company, is to document how YOU work and the way YOU behave. 

2. Do the math -- how much should you be charging? It's not enough to only consider what your competition is charging or what the market will bear in your area; you must also consider whether you'll be hiring staff and if so, how much do you plan to pay them? Then you need to work backwards to figure out what your hourly rate should be because if you don't, you may be undercharging and will eventually find yourself trapped where you cannot afford to hire help and still be profitable.

3. Identify what you will use as Metrics Measurements. Growth can lead to a loss of quality if you aren't careful. "Metrics" are key performance measurements that act as indicators to let you know you're either on or off track. Every successful company has a Metrics Measurement program in place where industry best practices are benchmarked, key processes are measured and corrective actions are implemented.

 

Creating an action plan is a necessary part of building a company whether you're just starting out or if you've already been in business for a few years (you can always look out another five years). There will always be more opportunities, more goals and more growth and you must consciously create action plans if you intend to leverage opportunities and achieve those goals.

If you'd like help creating an action plan specific for your business, please

You asked and we listened! Several demo attendees have asked that we add the ability to create and manage tasks inside our Essential Elements™ software system -- and guess what?!? Now you can! The following functionality is now available:

• Clients can request a task through their log in
• Concierge's can add, edit and complete tasks through their log in
• Admin can add, edit, and complete tasks through the Admin log in
• Reporting tools include - All tasks, Tasks by Client, Tasks by Concierge, Past Due Tasks
• Completed tasks can be 'uncompleted' when necessary
• All reports are email-able
• When new tasks are added, modified or completed, an email is auto-generated to the assigned Concierge AND the Admin

The ability to have and manage Tasks within the Essential Elements™ database eliminates the need for 3^rd party list maker apps. This functionality is an 'add on' to the core functionality and is available for a small nominal fee.

'Tis the season for gift giving and Concierge Business Solutions® is offering you the following free gift: We are going to do a FREE Webinar on December 17^th at 9am PST. The catch? You have to vote for the webinar topic! The topic with the most votes will be given free and everyone is welcome to join in. Deadline for voting is Friday December 5^th.

Here are your choices:

2. Goal Setting

3. Fee Setting Considerations

To vote, email us with the name of the webinar you'd most like to attend. We will make an announcement on December 6^th of the winner and then you can register. FREE! To everyone! Our way of saying Happy Holidays!