I just received an email asking me if I had a “business plan” that could be used to help create a revised plan for a business. On the surface this seems like a reasonable request, maybe even an simple request to fulfill, but as I thought through the process in detail I concluded it was not as “simple” as it seems at first glance.
I replied to the request with the following email.
“Thank you for contacting me…, you ask an interesting question.
As business plans should each be unique, reflecting the vision of the owner there would be no such thing as a sample plan. (They exist, they just have little real value)
I have written several highly effective plans and through my coaching have helped numerous pool builders and service companies to refine their vision, and create a n excellent business plan as well.
There are also several types of “plan”. The most common is an abbreviated plan with a focus on financial satements for the purpose of securing a loan. This is a “purpose specific” plan that works for accountants and banks but is useless as a “road map” to running a business.
A proper “comprehensive” plan is preceded by a bit of research into your own habits, desires, and existing employee and company structure and habits as well. Without this data, any “plan” would again be completely useless to serve as a road map. It’s the old adage… “garbage in… garbage out”. Only with accurate data and clearly defined objectives can a plan be created.
If it is for the bank, there is business plan software that works for that purpose. if it is to realize your business potential and vision… that is something entirely different.
I offer a detailed program for doing all the above. (Comprehensive planning) We begin with you… your vision, skills, and existing systems, and we evaluate and fix every element of the business from top to bottom.
It takes most people 1 to 3 years to not only make a plan, but implement all the features so the business functions creating a strong thriving business. ( I have seen it done in less than one year…)
If your business is not what you would like it to be, it is the way it is, not because you don’t care…, it’s obvious you do, but because there were critical elements missing in one or more of three vital areas. The areas are: “Systems”, “Marketing”, and “Skills”, (I use the aacronym “SMS”).
I have found most entrepreneurs have the technical skills, but often lack the communication, leadership, and management skills. Likewise, all businesses have systems, most are unintentional, but they are systems none the less. The idea is to eliminate harmful systems, fix broken systems, and implement missing systems. Then there’s the marketing…, most is wasteful and ineffective, lacking specific, target, strategy, or system or the metrics to measure the results.
Also needed to consider in the process is the “life cycle” of the business. Not age mind you, but we are speaking of maturity here. Simply expressed there is the Foundational, Growth, and Sustainable phases, each corresponding with developmental cycles.
The Foundational stage is the “infant” stage, the Growth stage is the “adolescent” stage, and the Sustainable stage is a still growing but mature and in control stage.
Businesses, like life, develop “behavioral disfunction” as they mature through each phase if not handled correctly. In this case, like in life, the business must “unlearn” destructive habits and replace them with strong productive habits.
I know this is WAY more than you asked for, but you see, if you write a business plan, you will have a “plan” that more than likely will never reach your destination.
It’s kind of like being dropped into the middle of an unfamiliar country… lets say, Australia, and being required to now sit and create the map to take you in the shortest route to safety. It is unfamiliar territory. Sure, you have some basics, you can navigate by sun and stars, and you may even have a GPS. But you see, even the GPS will only tell you where you are and maybe where you want to go, (assuming you already know), but it can’t begin to tell you the best way to get there. It’s possible, even likely you will choose a path that may eventually arrive at your destination…, but you will be too late. It will not be the shortest plan.
Business success needs a plan, but the prerequisite to a good plan is a clear vision of where you are and where you need to go, then the help of an experienced guide who will show you the “shortest path”. Without the guidance, the plan is likely to achieve about what you have right now. If so, why waste the time.
A good plan is really worth it. Great businesses are based upon great plans, but they need a leader who is committed to the task or they will fail. In many ways, with business as in life, it all comes down to you.
If you would be interested in discussing your business further, provide me a good time to speak with you and I will give you a call. I absolutely know I can help you.
I wish you great success and look forward to speaking with you.”
I hope my sharing this with you enlightens your perspective a bit, and maybe even has you considering to use of a “guide”.