Have you written a business plan? Many sole practitioners believe it is not necessary to have a business plan. Whether you are just starting a business or have an already established business, it is always a good idea to have an up-to-date business plan. A business plan is simply a roadmap to achieving your professional goals. It can also reflect your personal values. This is a way to gain an understanding of who you are in business.
Many of my clients have a fear of writing a business plan but it can be extremely simple too. There are many resources out there from books to downloadable templates. The SBA (Small Business Association at www.sba.gov) offer programs and training, as well as mentors available to help you.
There are two main reasons to write a business plan. The first reason is to attract investors. Most of my clients are not looking for investors when writing their business plan. They use the business plan as a tool to convey their ideas, research and strategy for creating success. This gives them the freedom to create a plan that is personal and reflect their authentic selves.
Here are some simple tips to creating a business plan that is effective:
- Do not be afraid to write about your personality and values. By gaining an understanding of your unique gifts and value, you can create your powerful value proposition.
- The business plan creates attraction to your business. Expressing your authentic self in business creates an attraction to you and your business. This enables you to network and market in your community with greater ease while attracting customers to your door.
- Write down all your ideas. It is important to write down all your ideas first even if you are not sure of the how’s. Once you have a new idea written down, it will be easy to flesh it out with research and strategy. Your business plan should be flexible and allow you to make adjustments to your strategies.
A business plan is an essential part of a successful business but they can also be an authentic expression of your business values. You CAN have fun and create a professional business plan, your personal roadmap to success.
