The new year is here. Have you actually sat down and made a plan for what you want to gain from your business this year? If not, then it’s time to do it or you never will. This is one of the things I find most often that business owners never get around to doing. You get so wrapped up in your business that you actually forget to set goals and make a plan for growth. How can you achieve anything if you don’t know what you hope to achieve? 
Do you want to add a new product line to your business this year? What is it? When do you want to implement it? How are you going to market it? What is your overall revenue projection? Maybe you want to increase revenue by 30%. How will you do it? What approach will you take? Will you increase your marketing? If so, how much and with what method? Will you add new personnel? What will that new personnel have to do to achieve your goals? Will you incorporate incentive programs? These are all questions many business owners are asking themselves but you fail to develop a plan to achieve it. Let’s change that and get you on the path to success for 2014!
I can’t stress enough how important it is to have a plan every year for your business. Alot changes from one year to another, sometimes even within in a few months. If you don’t have a business plan, step one is for you to make one right now. Make that your new years resolution. I’ve written alot of business plans over the years for a variety of companies, from start-ups to existing businesses and every time, the owners are amazed at what they read. They either look at the plan and think wow we’ve come a long way, or they think how did I get to where I am, or wonder why they are not doing better. The plan provides you with a snapshot of your business and is highly thought provoking. Some of the best ideas for business growth have come out of what is seen in the business plan. You can see first hand the success or failures of your business.
I am amazed everytime I see a business operating without a plan. Whether you are just planning to start a business or whether you’ve been in business for 12 years and still going strong, you should have a strong business plan. You’re in business to make money and to capture as much of your market segment as you can. The plan will help ensure that you’re doing just that and will help guide you to the next level and help keep you one step ahead of the competition.
A business plan is full of information. When it’s written well you should be able to really see your ups and downs, as well as your success and failures. You need to be honest and forthcoming when you write your plan, sometimes it’s not always fun, but sometimes it’s a terrific eye opener. 
If you need assistance in writing a business plan or setting goals for your business for 2014, Executive Business Services can assist you in doing so. Feel free to contact me anytime.
Wishing you a prosperous new year!
Miss Executive, Tina Holtz
Virtual Assisting and Business Advisory Firm 