Where Do You Go From Here?

Do you really need to plan? No, survival is optional. Or as Benjamin Franklin famously said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

As business owners, we work hard to create, nurture and grow our companies. We put our heart and soul into it – because we made the conscious decision to follow our dreams, be our own boss and have more control of our lives.

But often, we find that, rather than running our company, our company is running us!

Building a solid company that moves forward requires effective leadership and strong infrastructure. When you define and communicate your strategic direction, this is the first step to putting your business on solid footing and positioning it for strategic growth.

Ultimately, every business owner who wants to scale for growth must invest in building communication systems, infrastructure, business processes and training programs that foster expansion as efficiently as possible. This takes leadership.

Today’s Question:

Where would you start to develop a plan for your business? If you’re not sure a plan would really be meaningful, check out the early warning signs and see if this gives you a new perspective.

But Here’s the Twist . . .

These early warning signs can give you clues to your next steps. How many of these resonate with you?

? Can potential referral sources explain what you do?

? Do friends and colleagues send you referrals that don’t fit your target?

? Do you struggle with clients you wish you could fire?

? Do you try to be “all things to all people”?

? Is your staff confused about the future and direction of your company?

? Do you spend so much time putting out fires you can’t focus on strategic issues – for your company or for your clients?

Now What?

Define your company’s strategic direction with some key questions:

? What are the needs for my company, as a whole?

? What are the 5 top priorities for each quarter of the year?

? What is the Short-Term Strategic Vision? Imagine one year from now and you’ve had a very successful year. What does that look like?

? What is the Long-Term Strategic Vision? Look out 3 years; 5 years; 10 years.

? How can I increase accountability to better accomplish key goals?

? What differentiates my company from my competitors’?

? What are the obstacles to achieving my strategic visions?

? What can be done to address these obstacles?

With answers to these questions, you can develop a roadmap to bring clarity, confidence, and control to your company.

As a small company, you have an advantage in that you can spot trends from real data and real market experience, making decisions that you can implement quickly. This gives you a competitive edge, especially against larger companies that often struggle with bureaucracy and chain-of-command.

While this may feel overwhelming, by working with a trusted advisor who has a proven track record of success, you can map out your path.

If you struggle with your company running you, take the time to develop your strategic direction and a timeline for accomplishing your goals.

Take back control and don’t “…fail to plan.”

Where do you go from here? What are your plans for the future? I'd love to hear what you think. Direct message or email me!

Patty's email: [email protected]

P.S. Are you giving 'invisible' discounts to prospects who didn't ask for them? The anxiety you feel when talking with a potential client leaks out when you slash your price because you're afraid you'll lose the opportunity if you don't.??

I’ve broken down exactly why this 'discount dilemma' happens in an exclusive training called?The Value Equation,?which you can get for FREE by signing up for the bonuses that are companion pieces for my book,?Your Hidden Advantage.

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? The Block Group Inc.