Evan Carmichael Top Header about About About facebook Twitter YouTube Google+

5 Remarkable Benefits to Having a Business Plan



Free PDF Download
3 Tips to Earning the Big Bucks - The Value of Presentation - By Suzanne Muusers

Name: Email:


Have you ever started out on a road trip across town to suddenly realize that you have no idea where you’re going? It happened to me the other day. I was all set to go to a networking luncheon when halfway there I realized I couldn’t remember the cross streets. So I spent a good half hour meandering through the city before I found my destination. I could have avoided all this turmoil if I had mapped out my destination ahead of time.

Running your business without a Business Plan is much like the above example. I often see entrepreneurs working day to day doing the “busy work” of the business without working on the bigger picture and actions that will grow their business. This lack of focus on the future can be one of the biggest mistakes business owners make.

In this article we will look at 5 remarkable benefits to having a Business Plan. How having Direction, Motivation, Creativity, a Cohesive Strategy, and getting Results can help you can create amazing success in your business.

Benefit #1 – Direction – Business Plans provide a roadmap to success. A map shows you where to go and which street to take to get there. The research and brainstorming you will do when writing your Business Plan will help you figure out where to go and will give you a direction to take your business. For example, many businesses operate without goals. Imagine what it would be like to know what your goals are very day? How many new clients do you need? What products or services do you need to create? What sales level do you need to achieve to have a good quality of life? Knowing goals will give you the direction you currently lack.

Benefit #2 – Motivation – Business Plans create motivation. One of the first steps you should take when writing your Business Plan is to create a Vision of where you would like to be five to ten years in the future. Creating this Vision becomes motivational because it allows you to see the possibilities you can create for your business. For example, if you know that the grand scheme is to take your business international, you will be cognizant of the steps necessary to get there. You will focus on developing international relationships, learning the customs of other countries, and brushing up on the language.

Benefit #3 – Creativity – Business Plans written with a strong branding and marketing component help the entrepreneur think creatively. Without creativity, your company is just one of the many in your field. By using a creative approach you can design a business that sets itself apart in the marketplace with a distinctive look. All too often, I see bland, boring marketing messages presented in tacky ways. It’s time to stand out in the crowd by getting creative and a well-crafted Business Plan can help you do that.

Benefit #4 – Cohesive Strategy – Business Plans help the entrepreneur create a cohesive strategy that takes into account all the parts of the business and how they relate to each other. Looking at the business in this manner encourages elimination of parts of the business that don’t relate to the greater vision. Strategies are all about building a company over time. If you plan to build your business through your existing clients, then strategies around deepening those relationships through various channels will be a cohesive strategy. A system for touching clients via phone calls, birthday cards, in person meetings, and asking for referrals, will move the company forward.

Benefit #5 - Results – Business Plans help the entrepreneur get the job done! By performing the necessary success actions delineated in the business plan, the entrepreneur stays on track. It’s easy to get lost in the day to day details. By reviewing the plan weekly, the business owner is reminded to schedule time to work on the newsletter, to continue with the blog posting, to seek out public speaking engagements, to work on passive revenue products. In short, focused action leads the entrepreneur to success.

©Copyright 2008- Suzanne Muusers - All Rights Reserved

Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long it is printed in its entirety including the about the author information. Please leave all links active, do not edit the article in any way, and include the copyright statement.


Related Articles

  How to be remarkable
  Are You Remarkable Enough?
  Be Remarkable!
  Leadership fails without management
  To Arbonne Or Not To Arbonne : Effective Techniques Guaranteed To Help You Attract Dozens Into Your Arbonne Business
  How to be a millionaire
  Being remarkable - how to have an extraordinary business
  What Everybody Should Know About Starting a Unique Business Opportunity
  Screw The Recession
  Google US Search Share Reaches 63.2% in May 2009
  Ya Gotta Have a Plan
  Increase in Qualified Transportation Benefit
  Mental Health Benefits Update
  Spin and Story, two different things entirely
  You're boring
  Experts In Party Plan, Tracey Edwards & Party Plan Pat Talk About Home Party Businesses!
  Book Recommendations
  Balance the art of leadership with the science of management and watch your profits soar
  Googles Preference For Older Domains
  “Ten More Benefits From Strategic Planning, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach Ten More Benefits From Strategic Planning, According To Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach”

Home > Business-Coach > Suzanne Muusers > 5 Remarkable Benefits to Having a Business Plan >

Free PDF Download
3 Tips to Earning the Big Bucks - The Value of Presentation - By Suzanne Muusers

Name: Email:

About the Author: Suzanne Muusers

RSS for Suzanne's articles - Visit Suzanne's website
Suzanne Muusers is a Business Coach and Business Expert based in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is a credentialed member of the International Coach Federation and has owned or managed a business every year since 1981. She is the creator of Two Page Mini Business Plan™, The Secret to More Business Income! Visit her site: http://www.prosperitycoaching.biz
Click here to visit Suzanne's website.
Dashed Line

More from Suzanne Muusers
5 Not So Obvious Business Plan Mistakes to Avoid
Branding YOU Should You Put Your Photo on Your Business Card
5 Remarkable Benefits to Having a Business Plan
Taglines Why Your Brand Needs a Tagline
Risk and the Entrepreneur 3 Ways That Risk Separates the Winners from the Rest of the Pack

Related Forum Posts

Business Innovation Business Innovation
Re: NEW VIDEO - How to improve your business plan - Ask Evan Re: NEW VIDEO - How to improve your business plan - Ask Evan
New Small Business Topic New Small Business Topic
Business resolution for 2013 Business resolution for 2013
2007 Goals 2007 Goals

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Share this post and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
Share for a Cause



Worksheets
By: Evan Carmichael

Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?

8 Powerful Steps to Finding Your Passion

Does your pitch suck?

Create a plan of attach to launch your new business.

8-Cover

Like this page? PLEASE +1 it! Evan Signature
Bottom Footer



Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Popular Articles

The Freedom Formula by Christine Klosser

Why I Exchange Business Cards

Handling the Telephone Interrupter

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.