I found this article on Ezine Articles and found that it said pretty much what I was going to tell you so … as the saying goes … why try to reinvent the wheel!!
Let me know your thoughts …
NOW IS THE TIME OF YEAR TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE OF YOUR BUSINESS PART I
I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels a bit rushed over the holidays When you actually take the time to think about it, you’ve probably had some incredible experiences during the past year, but it is also time to focus on your business and its marketing especially if you are in a service related industry which tends to be slower now. Reflect on the past year…
Write down what inspires you now … What inspired you to start your own business? I believe that every business has a story to tell and that story is your “brand” that is just bursting to escape and be shared with the world through your poignant marketing campaign.
Describe what you would like your business to look like three years from now. Write a descriptive paragraph or two of what your business would look like if you were describing it to another person. Now imagine you’re one of your customers three years from now. Describe your experience in doing business with you or your company. How is the experience? What is it like? Can you get excited? Is this the kind of business you’d feel proud telling your closest friends and family members about?
Now that you’ve done that write down what has to happen between now and then for your business to actually look like you just described? What are some of the things that are in your control… that you can do something about? And what are some of the things that could happen that are not necessarily in your control… that you have no influence over? Things like price increases by your suppliers, tightening of credit guidelines, market conditions, the economy, and so on.
Next, what back-up plans do you need to put in place to compensate for the things you have no (or limited) control over? Are there some other products or services you might be able to represent or lean on if things get tough with your main products or services? Have you worked out a joint venture arrangement with another complimentary but non-competing company who represents other products that you may refer your customers and qualified prospects to?
And finally, who are the people and what are the resources you need to help you accomplish your three-year goal? Do you know who they are? Can you identify them? Do you have the proper relationship with them that you can enlist their aid when you need it? Do you have a plan that you can readily describe and discuss with them that will sell them on helping you?
Are you ready to take your business to the next level?
Copyright 2007 ProfitsMakeOver, Inc.
Gail M. Barsky, ProfitsMakeOver, Inc. works primarily with small business owners. Gail’s proven systems and strategies help business owners’ increase: the size of customer transactions, profit margins, the frequency of purchases, the number of years customers do business with you, referrals and boost conversion rates. Gail works only with a handful of personal clients. Her results have been impressive and have earned her substantial recognition and notoriety. Gail frequently offers “Breakthrough Business Development Seminars & Workshops.”
Gail M. Barsky, Esquire offers a FREE 20 Minute Business Strategy Session Call to interested business owners. Schedule your FREE private call with Gail M. Barsky, personally at http://www.profitsmakeover.com and click on the link marked FREE Strategy Call.
I will bring you Part II tomorrow.