Business Plan? Annual Plan? Action Plan?

How do we help small businesses chart a path out of the Doldrums? You will find out at our full day Annual Planning event called Do This Next, and I want to share with you today how what you will experience is different.

Do This Next is for any small business (with or without a current business plan) to look at where you are now and chart your steps for the year ahead. It is based on the 5 Key Levers to scale your profit that are the basis of our signature Coach-Consultant program: Tradewinds.

The PILOT Business Plan? works with you to evaluate where you are now on your business success journey, what the current needs of your business are, and identifies specific goals and projects to make them happen in the next business cycle. During our Do This Next day our Coach-Consultant team will use the exact same levers and tools to workshop your business for the year ahead. Simple, Powerful, Actionable, Measurable... the specific projects for your year ahead.

Check out the event and register here: https://podiumprosperity.com/event/do-this-next-special-vip-day/

CONTEXT: The PILOT Business Plan? is like a navigation system for your business, guiding you to highlight what really matters and amplify your success. Imagine having a compass that could point you at the most profitable parts of your business – the specific services and customers that make up your winning edge. This is where the Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 rule, steps in, helping us focus on the vital few that contribute the most to your profits and refining your Business Model to focus on your 1" of Excellence so that you are focused, powerfully positioned, and profitable.

When you think of business planning, do you picture hefty documents filled with lofty goals that often collect dust on a shelf? Or perhaps you think of your accountant's year-end reports that recap your business's performance without offering actionable insights. It’s time to shake off the old and embrace a new approach to business planning — one that’s rooted in execution and measurable results. This isn't just another business plan; it's our proprietary IP, a plan tailored for action and designed to amplify your existing success.

Your Business's Financial Health: Beyond the Balance Sheet

Traditionally, business owners have relied on bookkeepers and accountants to keep the books straight. However, while accountants are essential for tax preparation and compliance, they often don’t provide the kind of strategic advice that can pivot a business from surviving to thriving. Here’s the candid reality: if you want a business plan that drives results, you must go beyond basic accounting and see into the future beyond this year in order to create new results.

Here’s the essence of the PILOT approach to scaling up profitability, tailored to be both practical and effective:

1. Financial Clarity: We dive deep into your financials, transforming them from mere numbers to a story that reveals the heart of your business’s performance. Understanding profit, gross margin, cash flow, and retained earnings is crucial for you to make informed decisions that drive profit growth.
2. Pricing Strategy: It's time to ensure your pricing reflects the quality and value of your services. We'll help you adjust your pricing to industry standards, if not higher, to match the outstanding service you provide.
3. Service Streamlining: We’ll help you package your services like products with clear, defined scopes. This makes it easier for you to deliver and for your clients to understand what they’re getting, enhancing efficiency and saving resources.
4. Unique Positioning: What makes your business truly special? We'll pinpoint and polish your unique selling proposition, setting you apart from the competition. This isn't just about being different, it's about being better – and that can command a premium price.
5. Customer Focus: Identifying your ideal customer – the one who values and is willing to invest in your premium services – is vital. These customers are not just buying a service; they're investing in a relationship with a business they trust and admire.

A Plan Designed for Execution

The next step is transcending traditional planning. The PILOT is not a static document; it's a dynamic framework that incorporates specific projects with clear targets and key performance indicators (KPIs). Each project within this plan is crafted with precision, targeting areas that promise the most significant impact based on your financial analysis. This way, every action taken is intentional, measured, and purposefully aligned with your business's broader vision.

Building on Success: A Blueprint for Your Business's Future

Our business planning isn't about reinventing the wheel. Rather, it’s about taking the wheel and steering it with more sophistication and strategy than ever before. This plan is an extension of your already successful business. It’s about leveraging what you’ve done well and magnifying it for even greater success.

Whether it’s refining your pricing strategy, enhancing operational efficiency, or identifying the most profitable customer segments, the plan is a blueprint for taking what works and making it work harder for you.

Forget generic business plans and outdated financial advice. Embrace a business planning model that's as ambitious and action-oriented as you are. A plan that's not just about setting goals but about executing them. A plan that measures, refines, and scales your success. That's what our financial analysis-driven business planning offers — a chance to turn your business's potential into undeniable progress.

Check out the event and register here: https://podiumprosperity.com/event/do-this-next-special-vip-day/