Business plans get a bad rap.
If you’re creative (and aren’t we all?) and skew right-brained more than left, the idea of creating a business plan may sound as appealing as getting a root canal.
But you’re a business owner. So is the solution to continue forgoing one?
Nope! I’m here to help you re-frame the stodgy stereotype and uncover a process for creating a business plan that you’ll actually enjoy.
I believe that business planning doesn’t have to feel like an anchor around your neck that’s drowning you. It should be full of play and joy and inspiration for where you’re going to go with your business.
First, let’s start with the materials. You really don’t have to create a business plan in a spreadsheet or word-processing program (unless you love using them). The sky’s the limit so get creative.
Ideas for materials to use:
- Tactile – sketchbook, poster board, kraft sheets, Post-it notes, Moleskine
- Linear – OneNote, Evernote, Google Docs
- Visual – Pinterest, magazines for collages, MindMeister for mind mapping
- Audio – record notes on your computer using Quicktime on a Mac or Voice Recorder on a PC, or record on your smartphone
Which one (or combination of options) appeals to you? Gather your materials together in one place.
Next you’ll start thinking about the essential components to a successful business. Don’t worry—this isn’t about calculating profit projections or getting deep into market research. Yet.
It’s about the elements that, once articulated, provide a container for you to do your best work and run a successful business.
Once you’ve created a container, you’ll feel super supported and will be able to make room for even more creativity in your business.
Four essential elements to determine for your business plan:
- Who will you serve? (Your Most Valued Customer)
- How will you serve them? (Your products and/or services)
- What are your revenue and profit goals? (Your business model)
- How will you tell people about your offerings? (Marketing and messaging)
This is about a framework for where your business is headed. Try not to feel stifled by putting down answers to these questions and being stuck with them.
Your business plan will change. That is a certainty.
Our businesses are fluid and dynamic just like we are. You will need to pivot throughout the course of operating your business, because of opportunities or industry changes that come up.
The important thing is to create a business plan so that you’ve got a direction, a guiding intention, a datum point if you will, to support you on this dynamic and fabulous journey.
Got a creative business plan that you want my expertise on? Or do you want to create one that’s not stuffy? We can do that.
Apply for a Digital Strategy Intensive and together we’ll create a customized business plan that you’ll love.