7 Tips to Maximize the Benefits of “Write a Business Plan Month”

Today, I want to share with you seven awesome strategies to help you make the most out of Write a Business Plan Month. Let’s dive right in!

1. Get Clear on Your Goals: As I sit down to write my business plan, the first thing I do is ask myself, What do I really want to achieve? By setting clear goals from the start, you can focus your plan on the most important aspects of your business and create a roadmap for success.

2. Know Your Audience: One of the keys to crafting a compelling business plan is understanding who you’re writing for. Are you targeting potential investors, partners, or lenders? By tailoring your plan to their specific needs and interests, you greatly increase your chances of winning them over.

3. Research, Research, Research: To create a solid business plan, it’s crucial to gather as much information as possible. Conduct market research, analyze your competitors, and study industry trends. This knowledge will provide a solid foundation for making informed decisions and addressing potential challenges.

4. Highlight Your Strengths: Your business plan is an opportunity to showcase what sets you apart from the competition. What unique skills, experiences, or resources do you bring to the table? Emphasize these strengths throughout your plan to demonstrate why you’re the best choice.

5. Be Realistic About Finances: When it comes to the financial aspects of your plan, it’s essential to be realistic and transparent. Consider your expenses, revenue projections, and potential funding sources. A well-thought-out financial plan will inspire confidence in your ability to manage money effectively.

6. Stay Organized: Writing a business plan can be a complex undertaking, so it’s vital to stay organized throughout the process. Break down your plan into manageable sections, create a timeline, and set deadlines for yourself. This structured approach will help you stay on track and maintain momentum.

7. Review and Iterate: Once your business plan is complete, it’s not set in stone. Make it a habit to regularly review and update your plan as your business evolves. This continuous iteration ensures that your plan remains relevant and adaptable to changes in the market.

So, there you have it! Equip yourself with these seven tips, and you’ll be well on your way to writing a stellar business plan that sets you up for success. Good luck!

Did you know that December is National Write a Business Plan Month? It’s the perfect time to sit down and create a plan for your business, whether you’re just starting out or gearing up for another year of success.

I get it, though. Planning can feel like a daunting task. We all tend to put it off and find other things to do. But let me tell you, taking the time to plan in December can give you a real advantage over your competitors. It puts you in a stronger position to get the financing you need or launch that big marketing campaign when January 1 rolls around.

Now, I know planning can be a burden. It’s hard to prioritize. But I’ve got some tips to help you kick-start the process:

Focus on What You’re Really Good At

So, here’s the deal: if you want to start planning and actually make it work for you, the first thing you need to do is figure out what you’re really good at. I mean, what sets your business apart from all the others out there? What do you actually enjoy doing? And what do you wish you could do more of? Oh, and while you’re at it, think about whether there are other markets you could tap into. In a nutshell, think about what you’re not doing enough of.

In simpler terms, you should do something called a SWOT analysis. It’s basically a fancy way of organizing your thoughts and getting a better focus on your plans.

Now, Let’s Predict Some Sales

Nothing gets a small business owner in the mood for planning quite like doing some sales forecasting.

Whether your forecast turns out to be good news or not-so-great news, the process of thinking about your sales, how much you charge for your products or services, your costs, and how much money you make from each sale – all of that naturally leads you to start thinking about what you need to do to reach your goals.

As we go through the year, let’s take a look at our predictions and compare them to what actually happens. If we need to, we can make changes to our plans to make sure we stay on the right path.

Let’s Hear from Our Customers

Our customers can give us great ideas for planning. It doesn’t matter if we have a business that takes care of lawns or if we sell software. Our customers’ needs and challenges can help us figure out what products or services we should offer. We should also ask them about any problems they have had with us in the past. Our plans should include ways to make things better.

Are We Launching Something New?

• Think about what problem our new product or service will solve.
• Do some research on our target market. Talk to customers and potential customers. Do they really need what we have in mind? Are there specific things they like or want more than others? Is there a big enough market for our idea?
• Like they do on Shark Tank, let’s help you give customers or investors a sense of your product by creating a prototype or a trial version of your service. This will help you see if the feature or functionality actually appeals to people.

Break Down Your Plans into Manageable Pieces

Planning your business doesn’t have to be a boring task. Plans don’t need to be huge and complex. While you may have big ideas for your business, the important details are what really matter. It makes sense to approach business planning in small, manageable steps. For example, if your goal is to increase sales by 20 percent, think about the specific actions and strategies you need to take to make that happen.

So, you’re starting a business. Exciting stuff! But there’s more to it than just coming up with a marketing plan. You also need to think about how you’re going to ramp up operations and hire more people to support your growing business. And what about your IT infrastructure? Will you need to invest in new equipment? If so, you’ll need to create an IT plan and budget.

As your business expands, it’s important to consider your business structure and insurance needs. Is it time to incorporate your business? Should you adjust your insurance policy to account for the increased risk and liability that comes with growth?

By tackling each of these areas head-on and keeping the big picture in mind, planning becomes a lot easier.

Set Goals

Once you’ve taken a close look at all aspects of your business, it’s time to set some goals and establish deadlines for your plans. This will help keep you focused and motivated as you work towards your vision of success.

Tax Planning

Let’s talk about tax planning. It’s important to keep taxes in mind as you’re making your plans. The rules for small business taxes change every year, so I suggest setting aside some time to meet with your tax advisor. They can help you navigate through the changes and make sure you’re on the right track.

Now’s also a great time to make sure you’re taking full advantage of all the tax deductions available to you. It’s easy to overlook some deductions, but they can really add up and save you money!

Oh, and let’s not forget about the lessons we can learn from our past tax filings. Did you have trouble keeping up with estimated payments? Maybe it’s time to find ways to improve your cash flow so you don’t have that problem again. You could also consider a review of your business structure to see if it would benefit your tax situation in the future.