Search
Related Links

 

 

Informative Articles

Four Reasons Why Small Businesses Succeed (or Fail)
The American system of business management has been admired and emulated around the world. This system is characteristic of two traits in the American psyche: (1) enthusiasm for the future and making things better, and (2) an openness and...
How To Accelerate The Return On Investment (ROI) Of Your Senior Talent
If you were given £100,000, how would you feel? If that £100,000 was then withdrawn and you were asked for another £150,000 how would you feel? You might question whether you had made the right decision to take the £100,000 in the first place....
Managing Transformational Change within the Public Sector
Pick up any public sector journal, read any sample of CPA reports and you will undoubtedly see reference to a Change or perhaps 'Transformational' Programme. Council departments are quickly becoming 'Departments of Change Management' and senior...
Survival Without Computers
I was slowed down when my computer crashed and I had no data, no address book and not even my passwords to get back online. I didn't think I was doing anything remarkable by bouncing back to productivity even with this handicap for a week. But...
What is Google AdSense?
In the mid 1990’s websites used to earn income by receiving money from advertisers by publishing or allowing companies to deploy a banner ad campaign on your website. Usually these banners would be brilliantly designed to catch the eye of the...
 
Ready, Fire ... Aim!

Almost every book about starting a new business begins by telling
you to write a business plan. Many readers run in terror, others
jot some notes on a pad and a very few sit down to write out a
comprehensive strategic plan for their business.

After all, the majority of business owners start their businesses
without outside financing, so why do they need a business
plan?

But, along the way, with millions of great ideas pulsing in their
brains, most business owners begin to write things down. They
begin to devise strategies, set goals, create plans, lay-out
timelines, etc. This is good … unless you get stuck in this stage
like Bruce did.

"I don't believe I'm admitting this to you, but I can't find any other
way around it. I have been struggling with this problem for the
whole time I've been in business, and I'm embarrassed to share
it with anyone else. But, I know I'm holding myself back from
being really successful, and I need some help to work this out,"
he told me.

I was truly surprised by his candor, but not by his problem. Bruce
was suffering from what I had experienced myself .. perfectionism.
And it was draining all of his energy. He started his financial
planning company 2 1/2 years ago wanting to provide clients
with informed and honest advice - things he felt were lacking in
other providers in that field. But since then, he had gone from
being idealistic and enthusiastic to being discouraged and
disillusioned.

"I really thought I could make a difference and make money at
the same time. But my best ideas get stuck on the page. I can't
seem to get any one idea rolled out completely. By the time I
come up with the idea, do some research, pull together some
numbers, lay-out a plan and develop some marketing strategies,
I have about 10 more ideas I want to pursue."

"It feels so invigorating when I'm thinking about the idea and
creating the plan and strategy. I always think that the idea I'm
working on is the one that will truly make my business take off.
But as I look back over the past two years, I feel like a complete
failure."

"I started this business thinking I could provide a great service
and make great money doing it. But, now I'm starting to doubt
if I really have what it takes to be successful. I'm ashamed to
talk to my wife about it after I told her how great I would be at
this."

"I just don't get what I'm doing wrong. My clients really like me,
and I do a great job for them, but I'm stuck at this sort of survival
level and can't seem to implement the ideas that I think would
really establish my business. Maybe I should just go back to
working for someone else."

"Is that what you want to do?" I asked him. He jumped in almost
before I finished, "No, I really want to make this work. I just don't
know what I'm doing wrong."

"Don't sell yourself short, Bruce. You aren't doing anything wrong.
You've done a great job at establishing yourself as an honest and
informed financial planner -- your clients told you so. You certainly
aren't a failure, but I definitely understand why you feel so
disappointed and frustrated. It sounds like there is just one thing
that's holding you back --


fear."

Bruce was experiencing what many perfectionistic people do.
They are so concerned with doing everything right the first time,
they continue to work and re-work their ideas and never reach
the implementation stage.

The planning process is a safe haven for perfectionists. They can
craft the perfect, controlled, predictable strategy. But, they tend
to get paralyzed when it's time to move forward. They fear that
executing the plan will show that the plan was not perfect -- that
they are not perfect. So to avoid being "found out", they continue
to re-work the plan.

It takes awhile for most people to recognize this pattern in
themselves and many never do. But, for Bruce, it was a lifesaver.
After selecting one idea to work one, he created a timeline for
his roll-out plan. Each week, he had specific tasks that would take
him through the implementation of his strategy.

After only three months, he had taken on six new clients, created
an additional stream of income, and established five relationships
with centers of influence who could sell his services to their clients.

The last time I talked with him, he could hardly believe that he
had been so disillusioned about his business only three months
before. "I feel exhilarated again," he told me. "I'm finally having fun,
providing a great service, and making money! Thanks so much
for helping me move forward on my ideas. I was right ... they
were the key to my success!"

Are you anything like Bruce? Are you stuck in the planning mode?
How long have you been working and re-working your strategy?
Could it be fear that is holding you back?

Remember, many times we don't recognize it as fear, so just
look at your patterns. Are you spending a lot of time planning
projects and strategies that never get implemented?

If so, set aside one afternoon this week to look at all of the
potential projects you would like to implement. Force yourself
to pick just one that you will implement now. I know it can
be hard to pick just one but doing so will give you the best
chance of success. I'm not telling you to burn the rest -- just
set them aside. They'll still be there when you come back.

Now, for the project or plan you want to implement, create
a timeline for roll-out. Make a list of everything you would
have to do in order to implement the plan, then assign
realistic dates to each one.

Plot those dates out on a calendar and make sure to set
aside time to complete whatever tasks are necessary in
order to stick with your roll-out plan.

Is this plan guaranteed to succeed? I can't say that and
neither can you. You don't learn anything from your plan
just sitting there. Roll it out and see what happens. That
is the ONLY way you'll ever know.

Good Luck!

About the Author

Kimberly Stevens is a Business Life Coach who supports business owners and entrepreneurs in their pursuit of a fulfilling life and profitable business by offering individual and group coaching, ebooks, teleclasses, and live workshops. To learn more about creating a richly rewarding life as a business owner, visit www.askthebizcoach.com or send a blank email to: kim4-20129@autocontactor.com for an automatic reply.

 

Strategic Planning (in nonprofit or for-profit organizations)
Adapted from the Field Guide to Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Facilitation. ... First, a Point About For-Profit and Nonprofit Strategic Planning ...
www.managementhelp.org
 
Basic Description of Strategic Planning (including key terms to know)
Adapted from the Field Guide to Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Facilitation. ... Strategic planning often includes use of several key terms. ...
www.managementhelp.org
 
Strategic Planning, Strategic Plan, Business Strategy, Strategic ...
Strategic planning advice with free strategic planner & sample strategic plan covering mission statement, SWOT analysis with business plan software for cash ...
www.planware.org
 
Strategic Planning
FAQs regarding strategic planning - geared primarily toward non-profit organizations but with enough detail and general information to provide useful ...
www.allianceonline.org
 
Frequently Asked Questions
Strategic Planning · Fundraising · Financial Management · Risk Management · Credit Card Acceptance. The FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) listed on this ...
www.allianceonline.org
 
Strategic planning - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Strategic planning involves defining objectives and developing ... Strategic planning uses "the big picture" to pursue large scale, long term objectives. ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
08/26/96 STRATEGIC PLANNING
You guessed it: strategic planning. Suddenly, the idea of rising above the ... But if strategic planning is back with a vengeance, it's also back with a ...
www.businessweek.com
 
Dr. Strategy - Dr. Pete Johnson, Keynote Speaker, Marketing ...
StrategicPlanning.com “Turning Change Into A Competitive Advantage”. Dr. Pete's Preview Video Click Here. Take-Away Value Sample Program Handouts ...
strategicplanning.com
 
Strategic Planning Society: Strategy Development and Implementation
Strategic Planning Society: Strategy Development and Implementation.
www.sps.org.uk
 
Guide 7
Strategic Planning in Smaller Nonprofit Organizations ... In short, as a result of a strategic planning process, an organization will have a clearer idea of ...
www.wmich.edu
 
STRATEGIC PLANNING MANUAL
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
Your browser may not have a PDF reader available. Google recommends visiting our text version of this document.
 
BPubs.com: Strategic Planning & Business Planning Articles
Business Publications related to Corporate Strategic Planning.
www.bpubs.com
 
Strategic Planning Tools
Strategic Planning is a method for positioning an organization to take ... A strategic planning process incorporates an in-depth planning model that takes ...
www.nsba.org
 
Center for Simplified Strategic Planning, Inc.
The Center for Simplified Strategic Planning offers training, seminars, consulting, speakers, workshops, a book and a newsletter on strategic management for ...
www.cssp.com
 
LEADERSHIP: Strategic Planning and Strategic Management
Introduction: Is strategic planning really worth it? ... The purpose of strategic planning is to encourage thinking about your organization's "big ...
vskn.ca
 
The CEO Refresher Archives - Strategic Planning
When done right, the integrated strategic planning process can take a ... Strategic Planning and Project Management: The Key to Successful Implementation ...
www.refresher.com
 
HEFCE : Publications : 2000 : 00/24 - Strategic planning in higher ...
This guide reviews good practice in strategic planning in higher education (HE). It originated in a consultation exercise which we held in 1998 to review ...
www.hefce.ac.uk
 
The Association for Strategic Planning
The Association for Strategic Planning (ASP), is a non-profit professional society whose mission is to enable people and organizations to succeed through ...
www.strategyplus.org
 
Amazon.com: Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations: A ...
Amazon.com: Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations: A Practical Guide and Workbook: Books: Michael Allison,Jude Kaye by Michael Allison,Jude Kaye.
www.amazon.com
 
Amazon.com: Simplified Strategic Planning: A No-Nonsense Guide for ...
Amazon.com: Simplified Strategic Planning: A No-Nonsense Guide for Busy People Who Want Results Fast!: Books: Robert W. Bradford,Robert W. Bradford,J. Peter ...
www.amazon.com
 
 

 
Content Menu

  • 10 lessons for every shoestring entrepreneur

  • 10 reasons why time and attendance systems are not just substitutes for clock cards

  • 10 tips for managing your time

  • 10 ways to help you plan your home office for productivity and comfort

  • 2005 economic update industry specific 2005 total compensation budget predictions

  • 5 steps to powerful negotiating feature article

  • 5 warning signals your business might have a cash flow problem

  • 6 steps to laying out your competitive strategy

  • 7 essential elements of leading change

  • 8 reasons the holidays are a great time to build your business

  • achieving competitive advantage through collaboration with key customers and suppliers

  • affluent market may disappoint retailers by spending less for december holiday gifts

  • affluent men spend twice as much on holiday gifts for their spouse as women do

  • affluent name recipients of december holiday gifts in new survey

  • affluent turn cautious in outlook for personal spending and the economy

  • attract and retain top talent

  • a cyber staffing solution for small businesses

  • a guide to performance management

  • a real business coach

  • a renewed view of the modern business culture

  • a strategy for success

  • balanced scorecard strategic planning

  • barriers to effective planning

  • being a home based business owner whats not to love

  • being stressed out may not be all that bad

  • best practice benchmarking the path to excellence

  • blueprint for change

  • book summary mind your own business

  • bottleneck oriented business management

  • bridge loans everything you wanted to know

  • building win win alliances

  • build winning alliances

  • business 101 passion before planning

  • business growth through strategic merger and acquisition

  • business intelligence advancements transform corporate decision making

  • business or leisure make sure you get the best stay

  • business planning 101

  • business planning myopia

  • business plans what consultants dont tell you

  • business plan basics

  • business process automation bpa

  • buying a business advice for the first time buyer investor

  • buy now retire later an investment in your dreams

  • cash flow profits and the cash conversion cycle

  • change management can lead to rigidity and resistance to change

  • change may be your ace in the hole

  • chasm of change restructuring the goliath of change

  • choking on itil a menu for success

  • client service as a competitive advantage

  • coaching an adapting tool for attaining fulfillment in the global economy

  • coaching for lawyers 10 ways a lawyer can benefit from working with a professional coach

  • collaboration not competition

  • common sources of financing for small business

  • comparing corporate and personal goal attainment programs that have developed over thousands of years with modern day programs

  • compensation committee 101 what does it do

  • competitive marketing analysis

  • creating a business strategy

  • creating a vision

  • cultivating your pathway to success dont leave your companys future to chance

  • dealing with anger

  • developing your mission

  • develop a successful business foundation second to none

  • discover the coach within you

  • does your culture support or sabotage your strategy

  • dont allow yourself to get burned

  • embrace diversity to build effective teams

  • entrepreneur to employer considerations

  • famous business strategies

  • fatal mistakes to avoid when writing a business plan

  • finding and keeping good people

  • five strategies to strengthen your companys financial management

  • focus on results not money

  • four reasons why small businesses succeed or fail

  • franchises exit strategies

  • franchises whats the exit strategy

  • generating publicity will the media be interested in my product business

  • getting and keeping good people

  • getting together the importance of business relationships

  • have you ever thought of joining or forming a consortium

  • help wanted new business leadership required to jumpstart the american economy

  • home business grants

  • how effective is your leadership style

  • how joint ventures can catapult you to success

  • how not to let powerpoint kill your presentation

  • how to accelerate the return on investment roi of your senior talent

  • how to create a great mentoring relationship

  • how to develop a successful board of advisors and why you should

  • how to develop multiple streams of 100 000 home business income

  • how to easily accelerate your profits

  • how to use graphs and charts in your business plan

  • hr off shoring outsourcing a buyers market

  • human resource communication pays off

  • ideas are free a book summary

  • identifying candidates for leadership

  • if one does not do any planning one is planning to fail

  • improve profitable roe with retention

  • index

  • investing in the czech republic outside of prague part 1 brno property

  • investments short term or long term

  • isg expands to include denovo bank consulting

  • its spring time for a compensation program tune up

  • its time to get all strategic small business marketing stategy

  • i wanna hold your hand first time homebuyers

  • i want to get a mortgage fast online

  • job search lessons from the super bowl

  • job talk the heart of productivity

  • leadership and customer service is there a link

  • leadership development turn on your employees

  • leading with power and authority energize others with deep green leadership

  • learn to manage your projects with project management training software

  • living life in a time starved world

  • lone wolf lead wolf

  • make your mark how to attract clients and grow your business

  • making the most of your year

  • making your item get the best bid on e bay

  • management span of control and the power of models

  • managers have you been shortchanged

  • managers lets call a spade a spade

  • managers should your pr budget stress tactics or strategy

  • managers you know your job but what about public relations

  • managing the human resource project

  • managing transformational change within the public sector

  • managing with vision

  • marketing planning and control systems from agency style to nerve center

  • maybe you should worry about your pr

  • meetings bloody meetings

  • merger and acquisition an engine for corporate growth

  • millionaires name top choices for holiday gift wish list

  • mission and vision statements foundational to successful change

  • new years resolutions for your business

  • non profits need new strategies to weather budget crisis

  • not another ice breaker team building with a purpose

  • oe consultants is there a future for them

  • operational excellence for wholesale distributors

  • performance measures a key to organizational success

  • planning to make a decision

  • plan for business success 6 reasons to succession plan

  • practice on purpose working on your business

  • pragmatic consulting from the clients perspective

  • preparing to be an entrepreneur

  • printing offline

  • professionalizing the family business

  • professional intervention in the family business

  • profit the goal and more than margins

  • pr lets dump the smoke and mirrors

  • public relations a natural phenomenon

  • public relations converting the non believers

  • public relations defining your organization from the inside out

  • public relations power tool for the 21st century

  • quality consulting major consumer products company

  • quick books and finances

  • ready fire aim

  • ready setwait

  • renovations and upgrades bring it to the bank part 2

  • resolve to focus on results in 2006 website results that is

  • rotator

  • rules to setting business goals and objectives why and how to be smart

  • secrets to successful publishing

  • selling your business for the best price

  • selling your technology company why earnouts make sense today

  • sell a business 10 steps to maximize selling price

  • setting goals and implementing change

  • setting you sails the mission statement

  • should you write your own business plan

  • six disciplines for excellence

  • small business planning three myths

  • small business q a swot analysis is no magic 8 ball

  • small business q a the business autopsy a fact of life

  • so you dont have a business plan why not

  • starting a small business is just like running the peachtree only tougher

  • starting your business avoiding the me incorporated syndrome

  • start thinking strategically about your business

  • strategic clarity for communication management

  • strategic internet marketing 5 basic keys to online business success

  • strategic organizational learning

  • strategic planning and consulting

  • strategic planning basics

  • strategic planning for salespeople

  • strategic planning steps for optimum business management

  • strategies to time management

  • succeeding as a seller on e bay

  • succession planning problems getting started

  • succession three tips to ease the transition

  • succss tip business plannning 101

  • survival without computers

  • surviving survival

  • swot analysis is no magic 8 ball

  • swot analysis strengths weaknesses opportunities and threats

  • tactical hints for succession planning

  • tales from the corporate frontlines try try again

  • temporary staffing agency how to start

  • ten tips for creating a terrific employee appraisal system

  • ten ways to sharpen your business edge

  • the 7 traits of an exceptional and successful entrepreneur

  • the 7 traits of an exceptional successful entrepreneur

  • the art of succession planning

  • the business autopsy a fact of life

  • the case of the vanishing technology

  • the challenges of human resource management

  • the collapse of enron

  • the crisis of modernity

  • the dos and donts of creating business partnerships

  • the five biggest mistakes an hr professional can make from the clients perspective

  • the inferno of the finance director

  • the magic and mystery of teams

  • the project management mindset

  • the role of the business model and strategy for business

  • the ten pillars of leadership and business development

  • the three factors of leadership motivation

  • thoughtleading the art of separating yourself from the pack

  • three planning myths

  • three steps to give your strategic plan traction

  • time management is a work of art

  • tips to maximize the sale of your business

  • top tips for effective time management

  • to all managers how does add affect your workplace

  • trade show exhibit booth 7 tips to improve yours

  • trade show victory

  • trend setting how office art improves productivity

  • understanding financial statements when approaching lenders

  • useful tips for evaluating your meeting venue options

  • what are we teaching pr students

  • what could macedonia learn from a tiger the asian tigers and the phenomenon of uninterrupted economic growth

  • what if peter drucker were your ceo

  • what is a trainer what is a facilitator

  • what is google adsense

  • what to consider before approaching lenders

  • what your home based business plan can do for you

  • what you must do for one whole day every week for your business

  • when and where the affluent shop for december holiday gifts

  • when tactics are not enough

  • who do you talk to

  • why bother with customer centricity

  • why have a mortgage coach

  • why just the right ppc campaign management brings in lots and lots of cash

  • writing a business plan

  • your 7 minute mba

  • your business or your life why not both

  • your online fortune is just a click away