Posts Tagged ‘It’s’

www.freebusinessplan.info Free Business Plan Templates available for subscribers. This is a fun way of letting you know how important a business plan is in creating a successful business. -

Writing a small business plan begins by finding a format to follow, as there can be as many as 14 sections to complete, and researching sample business plans can help illustrate all of the information required. Write out a business plan to gain direction and to generate funding with advice from a business owner in this free video on business. Expert: John Niemira Bio: John Niemira is a business professional who has been in the business industry for many years. Filmmaker: Michael Burton

It’s Not The Business Plan – It’s The Process

Is it really possible to succeed in business without a plan? I’m beginning to think most folks thinks so. Whenever I ask a prospective client if they have a business plan, more often than not the answer is “no.”

Whether a start-up or an established business, I’m finding more and more companies are bypassing that important first step. And, if they did have a plan when they launched their business it hasn’t been updated in years.

There has always been debate regarding the need for formal business plans. I can certainly understand why folks challenge the need to invest their time and energy in creating the document. When you’re anxious to start a business or grow an existing business who wants to waste precious time writing a business plan?

After all, as my clients and prospects are always pointing out, “a formal business plan does not equal success.”

They are absolutely right. But here’s the thing, it’s not really about the plan. It’s about the process. The planning process is as vital to business as steering is to driving. You can have a destination in mind, but if your hands aren’t on the wheel you’ll never get there. It’s as simple as that.

You’ll discover what you know and don’t know about your business through this planning process. Most importantly, it allows you to – in just a few pages of bullet points – establish your business goals and outline the steps needed to achieve them.

Here’s your short list:
- Business concept
- Business goals
- Growth factors
- Priorities
- Milestones
- Cash Flow

Personally I don’t care if a client or prospect has their “business plan” written on a napkin or the back of an envelope. If they cover the items on that short list they are providing me with the information I need to create an integrated marketing plan that will successfully launch or grow their business.

Remember the goal is not to write a book, the goal is create a road map highlighting what you want to see and do along the way to launching and growing your business. Don’t hire this task out, you need to go through the process. There are specific goals and milestones that you are accountable for – it’s your decision on what those are.

There are a variety of resources available to walk you through the process of developing your “business plan.”

Related Business Plans Articles

Business Marketing St. Charles: Why It’s Time To Demand More Of Your Specialty Business Marketing

It’s sad really, the state of business marketing. Everyday I see outdated, ill-conceived business marketing and advertising.  It arrives in my mailbox, clutters my search results and interrupts my cable programming.

You’ve probably seen it too, small specialty businesses approaching marketing and advertising like they are Coke, Pepsi, GEICO or some other mega-brand.  Some “expert” has sold them the same old line about “impressions” and brand awareness and now Mr. Small Business and Ms. Private Practice are spending thousands every month running “brand building” advertisements.

Their ads all look and sound the same.  They feature trite phrases such as “Best Service in Town”, “Family Owned” or “Highly Trained Technicians” where their headline should be and then list all of the services they provide.  Sometimes they will offer a coupon or discount.  Sound familiar?

What’s Wrong With This Approach?

This approach is flat out wrong for your specialty businesses or private practice for the following reasons:

1. People buy your product or service infrequently.

2. Your product or service is not a simple commodity

3. You are asking people to invest more than the price of a 6-pack to do business with you.

4. There are real differences to your business or practice, but no-one will ever know if your marketing looks and sounds just like all of your competitors!

Let’s look at each of these in more detail…

1. People Buy Your Product or Service Infrequently

The reason why a high-frequency campaign makes sense for Coke or Pepsi is that most people buy soft drinks every week, some every day!  When you’re success or failure takes place on the grocery shelves it pays to pound your jingle into peoples heads every day. Right?  Well, how often do you think people are looking for an accountant? Dentist? House painter? So does it make sense to run a high frequency ad or marketing campaign for these specialty businesses? Of course not!

2. Your Product or Service is Not a Simple Commodity

Unlike soda and detergent most people don’t have the foggiest idea how to purchase accounting services, dental services, window installation or remodeling services. Therefore, your advertising and marketing must lead to valuable decision making information or your confused buyer will conclude “They all look the same” and you know what becomes important then, right? You’ve got it, price.  Unfortunately, in addition to paying way too much and way too often for your advertising and marketing it’s poor design and intent is likely leading people to price shop you if they take any action at all…ouch!

3. You Are Asking People to Invest More than the Price of a 6-pack to do Business With You

When someone is going to spend a significant amount of money on a product or service they want to be assured of making the best decision possible. Makes sense and you probably approach decision making the same way. So what do you really want when you start your search for a new product or service? Likely you are looking for valuable decision making information.  Well, does your marketing or advertising provide a simple, low-risk way for your prospects to get valuable decision making information or is it filled with trite phrases and “menu style” product or service listings?

4.  There Are Real Differences to Your Practice or Business

But unfortunately your prospects can’t tell from your advertising or marketing and have no low risk way to find out. You see, most people who see your marketing or advertising are not ready to buy. By some accounts, less than 5% are ready to buy.  What they really want is to learn what to buy, who to buy from and how to buy it.  Unfortunately if you have fallen victim to one of the “experts” your high frequency drivel is not doing anything but costing you money.

What Your Specialty Business and Private Practice Marketing Should be Doing

1. Position you as THE expert in your field

2. Get your prospects to call, contact and outright pursue you

3. Start and nurture a relationship through automated, ongoing value delivery

4. Guide your prospect across the buying continuum and into your business

And, by the way you should be able to measure the results of your marketing and advertising too!  You see, the way I look at it marketing and advertising that doesn’t provide a measurable return is an expense.  Marketing that DOES provide a measurable return is an investment!

Find More Business Marketing Articles

Small Business Marketing It’s All About People

Marketing is communication. Like all communication, it’s a two-way street. If your message is good, people will respond and boost sales. But implementing a bad marketing plan is far worse than someone just ignoring your message; it’s a costly way to be ignored. That is how important small business marketing is.

The most common mistake too many small business owners make is looking at a marketing strategy as an added cost. Sure, any marketing strategy will entail some expense. But a good small business marketing plan doesn’t have to be expensive. What it does need to do is reach your target market, the people you need to convince that your business is THE business that can best provide what they need.

If you need to, review your old marketing research and see if it defines your target market clearly. Just as a refresher, the basic information you will need on your target market are: age, gender, where they live, family size, income, work, lifestyle, and how large a segment of the population are they.

When you have a fairly good idea of who your target market is, try to find out how they get their information. Do they read newspapers, watch TV, or listen to the radio? Or do they rely mainly on the Internet, email or text? Knowing this will help you define the best marketing strategy to communicate with your market since each medium needs a different approach.

Learn what low-cost promotional and advertising options are available. This may entail some costs. But this generally is more effective, both cost-wise and for reaching your target audience, than printing out flyers to hand out to everyone you meet.

Go personal. Actually talking to your customers, getting to know as many as you can, finding out their needs and what other products or services they may need, is always a good small business marketing strategy. This will give you direct feedback from your target market and will likely make them want to return again and again. They are also more likely to read and respond to letters and emails, and the ads you take out, as well as visit your website more often. If you use social networking, these customers are also more likely to sign up on to your page and could bring in friends and family, actually helping expand your market for you.

There are also ways to generate publicity, sometimes for free. You can submit press releases to local newspapers and radio stations on a new product or service. If you can, sponsor a community activity that people can identify with your business or host special events for your customers, like an appreciation day. People always like to feel appreciated. And you could also get additional exposure from media coverage.

Among the many other promotional ideas for small business you could try is partnering partner with one or any number of non-competitive small businesses in your area. You could offer discounts or other incentives to each other’s customers. Or you could include each other’s leaflets or business cards in the promotional material you send out. Or you could co-sponsor seminars or conferences to increase your visibility and attract advertisers.

There are many other small business marketing strategies you can use. Many of these are available on the Internet or at the many seminars offered by business organizations, advertising agencies, or manufacturers. But whatever marketing plan you use, always remember that effective small business marketing is all about getting your message out to people.