And a manual for getting it right.
Are big plans enough?
I was speaking with a client last week who wants to launch a new product — with a boom. She wants it to be stocked in supermarkets all over the world, she wants it to become a household item that everyone knows and recognises — she’s thinking big.
It’s wonderfully refreshing to hear from someone who has big plans.
Not every business will be international, or even large within your city.
But what are your goals? Your hopes and dreams?
Clarifying your goals
The next few questions may be uncomfortable, but bear with me.
How long have you had these goals? Are you any closer to them now? What have you done to move closer towards them?
One common issue that people have is that the goal is just too abstract. I am here, my goal is to be there, but how do I cross the divide?
Let’s work that out now, together.
Get your imagination going
Take a few minutes to imagine what would be if your business really took off. What would that involve? More products, higher prices, hiring people, more branches?
Try to picture how it would all look.
Then, decide if that is something you really want. Take different factors into account — how long would you have to spend working — or can you hand most of it off to workers? How much money do you need — are you trying to single-handedly support your family, or is it just something you enjoy doing on the side?
Settle on an image you’re happy with. Imagine what it would mean to you if that became a reality.
Now, write down how you’d need to get there.
How to form a business plan
What processes do you need in place, what further products or services do you need to offer — is there anything you need to study to be able to offer it? Think about your current systems for getting clients, are they enough to get you the volume of clients you’re going to need? Should you start finding stores to sell your products, or partner with other businesses to offer your services to their clients too?
Form a plan. Arrange these steps in an order that makes sense.
And go for it.
One step at a time. Once you know where you’re headed and how you’re getting there, it’s just about making it happen one step at a time.
Set your focus, work out your path, and keep following it.