What do you think of when I say “write a business plan“?
Do you picture a horrible, thick pack of papers with charts and graphs and projections?
That is what a business plan was in the corporate world I worked in.
But years ago when I was coaching a client, I learned that a good plan is very different.
I was doing my best to get this client to move through the steps of creating a business plan. He wasn’t getting it. I had spent hours with him and when the smoke from his cigarettes finally had me begging for mercy and looking for a plan B, I decided to take him to a smoke-free restaurant.
There, in the restaurant, I wrote a plan for him on the back of a napkin. It was simple and straightforward and more helpful to him than anything we had discussed before.
I learned that a business plan does not have to be complicated.
A Business Plan in 3 Easy Steps
When I started writing this blog that has the words “business plan” in the title, I could virtually hear everyone glaze over. You all went running to your Facebook webinar–anything to get away from this post.
Business plans are not very sexy. There have been no Super Heroes who have the power of creating a comprehensive business strategy. And it is hard to imagine a movie where the “Business Plan Guy” gets the girl.
And yet, a plan is so vital to any business that having one can mean the difference between success and failure. When the rich millionaire in the movie gets the girl, you can bet that he had a plan to help him to his riches.
To combat “Business Plan Resistance” I have narrowed the process down to 3 easy steps.
A Easy Business Plan
- Marketing Plan
- Financial Plan
- Action Plan
It’s that easy.
With these 3 easy steps, you have the guerrilla strategies necessary to get your internet business going.
I go into more depth about these steps in “How to Write a Business Plan in 3 Easy Steps“. But having these 3 easy plans in place is vital to any business.
Don’t complicate your business so much that you don’t do what needs to be done. A simple, easy business plan is better than none. Take tonight to write down your marketing plan, financial plan and action plan.
Buy a cape and you’re good to go.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Simplicity is nice, okay, but something is missing before the first item (Marketing plan). What is the substance to bring into market – the Product or Service.
Armin,
You are correct. This plan assumes you have at least a business concept – a product or service – to plan around.
Unfortunately, most people do not spend enough time in the concept creation stage. Figuring out your business, or developing and refining your product, is a science in itself. I spent many years in Product Research & Development!
Thanks for your comment and input.
Michael
Mike: You make it look so easy – like a Yankee center fielder throwing out an Oriole stealing home. Your clear tips have helped so many of us — especially your “No Fail Business Plan”. Thanks once again!
Well played, Al!
I know that’s a compliment … but I can definitely tell which team you’re pulling for.
Thanks for the note.