Is your Business Plan connected to Reality? A Business Coach reveals a Secret.
- Date: 2007-05-16 - Word Count: 530
Share This!
Is your business plan doing anything for your business? Or is it lost on your bottom shelf and covered in dust? Unfortunately, this is where most business plans end up. Unused and forgotten, until the next consultant asks them, have you got a business plan? But don't expect a high price consultant to tell you that!
Most business consultants are only interested in selling their time or their �Business Plan in a Box' but know that for a business plan to be useful, it has to be part of a Business Management System. But this is a much harder proposition for the consultant to sell, particularly to small business owners who are just looking for a quick fix. And a business plan is not a quick fix. To be effective you can't just hand it to someone else to do. It requires you to put in some effort. Not what a consultant wants to tell you. Once owners have prepared their "fill in the blanks" plan, they expect it to transform their business overnight just by its mere existence. But it doesn't, so the plan is left and forgotten.
Business Plans do work, but you have to make them work. It is not a one-off exercise. If you buy a �Business Plan in a Box', you need to understand that you are responsible for maintaining the plan. You also need to satisfy yourself that the product you buy is not just a fill in the blanks product. These plans always end up on the bottom shelf. They don't show you how to do your strategic analysis (which is never a fill in the blanks exercise- no matter what someone tells you).
Business Planning is a real soul searching exercise for the business owner. Don't gloss over the flaws in your business. You will only be kidding yourself. To be objective, you must get an outsider from your business to force you to be truthful about your business strengths and weaknesses! Looking at examples of what others have done can help, but your business will have different strengths and weaknesses and will operate in a different marketplace. And lastly, make sure any off-the-shelf product you choose will show you how to implement your plan into your business.
When you use a consultant, insist that they show you how the plan should be implemented into your business process. Schedule a review of your performance in six months. And to make sure that you hold yourself accountable, organise the consultant to conduct the review. While this will cost you extra, this will ensure that your plan does not end up on the bottom shelf- because you know you will be held to account!
Business Planning is not an easy process. It takes time and commitment. You don't just do it once. This is not what business owners want to hear, and what most consultants won't tell you, because it might cost them a sale. But the rewards from a well implemented business plan are worth many times your investment.
------
Dr Greg Chapman provides information and support to small business owner through the Australian Business Coaching Club. Visit the Club or The Australian Small Business Blog for Free business information.
Most business consultants are only interested in selling their time or their �Business Plan in a Box' but know that for a business plan to be useful, it has to be part of a Business Management System. But this is a much harder proposition for the consultant to sell, particularly to small business owners who are just looking for a quick fix. And a business plan is not a quick fix. To be effective you can't just hand it to someone else to do. It requires you to put in some effort. Not what a consultant wants to tell you. Once owners have prepared their "fill in the blanks" plan, they expect it to transform their business overnight just by its mere existence. But it doesn't, so the plan is left and forgotten.
Business Plans do work, but you have to make them work. It is not a one-off exercise. If you buy a �Business Plan in a Box', you need to understand that you are responsible for maintaining the plan. You also need to satisfy yourself that the product you buy is not just a fill in the blanks product. These plans always end up on the bottom shelf. They don't show you how to do your strategic analysis (which is never a fill in the blanks exercise- no matter what someone tells you).
Business Planning is a real soul searching exercise for the business owner. Don't gloss over the flaws in your business. You will only be kidding yourself. To be objective, you must get an outsider from your business to force you to be truthful about your business strengths and weaknesses! Looking at examples of what others have done can help, but your business will have different strengths and weaknesses and will operate in a different marketplace. And lastly, make sure any off-the-shelf product you choose will show you how to implement your plan into your business.
When you use a consultant, insist that they show you how the plan should be implemented into your business process. Schedule a review of your performance in six months. And to make sure that you hold yourself accountable, organise the consultant to conduct the review. While this will cost you extra, this will ensure that your plan does not end up on the bottom shelf- because you know you will be held to account!
Business Planning is not an easy process. It takes time and commitment. You don't just do it once. This is not what business owners want to hear, and what most consultants won't tell you, because it might cost them a sale. But the rewards from a well implemented business plan are worth many times your investment.
------
Dr Greg Chapman provides information and support to small business owner through the Australian Business Coaching Club. Visit the Club or The Australian Small Business Blog for Free business information.
Related Tags: coaching, planning, business, australia, coach, consultant, plan, consulting, victoria, plans, coaches, victorian, consultants, australian, melbourne, marke
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The No. 1 Rule For Projecting Confidence - Speak With Authority
One of the most important characteristics a person can project in a business setting - or any situat - After the Autumn Checkout European Debt Crisis and U.S. Brewing Rebound
In the commotion caused by the Fed on interest rates come to an end, the "disastrous" for the euro a - Advantages Of Arcade Game Rentals
There are many different advantages to arcade game rentals. Most people need something to release th - A General Primer on Truck Cargo Nets
In modern highways it is quite rare to see truck cargo nets in action, this is because they are usua - The United States Will Burst More Severe Financial Crisis
Not long ago, suddenly announced that the central bank to raise interest rates, the interest rate hi - Niche Marketing Profits - 3 Easy Steps to Finding a Profitable Niche Market Income in 10 Minutes
Like most beginners I was having a very difficult time trying to find a niche market to earn extra m - The Importance of Hospitality Management Consulting Firms Toronto
Businesses and the managers that help guide any business are in a constant state of improvement and - New Keynesian Theory Label
2010 winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics three theories have been labeled as "New Keynesian" labe - Federal Reserve Pouring Money QE2 Unpredictable Fortune
U.S. economist Milton Friedman proposed a "throw the cash from a helicopter" view, while the practic - Fiscal Consolidation Should no Longer Delay
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne today announced fiscal consolidation policy, shoc
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Common Financial Problems to Avoid
One must first change their habits and not procrastinate. American Consultants Inc at offers key fi - How a Bad Hire Can Hurt Your Business
What's worse - hiring the wrong person or not hiring anyone at all? Companies can become almost des - Joel Comm Is Dr. Adsense
What is Adsense? If you are new to making money online and net marketing, you may not know what Ads - 5 Steps For A Dynamic Wealth System Online
Recipe: Opportunity + knowledge + Dynamic Wealth System + Your Action = Massive Success!!! Step 1 - How To Stop Foreclosure
Losing your house to a foreclosure can be very scary. There are times when circumstances are ou - How to Always Pitch A Strike
As business owners, we are always working on new ways to convince people to become customers, client - Membrane Diffuser Solutions for Wastewater Treatment Systems
In the aeration basin of a typical wastewater treatment plant there are both organic and inorganic m - Another Year Hating Your Job or Loving Life?
Copyright © 2007 Mary Foley I've come to the conclusion that to be successful - really successf - Dyestuff Industry In India And China
World demand for dyes and organic pigments to touch $10.6 billion in 2008According to a study on dye - Cma-cgm Case : the Series of Lawsuits Continues in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, France, England and the United States
Damietta company case : The series of lawsuits continues in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, France, England a