Client attraction. Business growth. Pretty profits.
Does Business Planning Make You Have Kittens?
Today’s post is by my gorgeous friend and creative business wizard Elle Roberts from Studio Exsto. After connecting online I was honoured to meet Elle in person last September when I attended her inaugural Artful Business Conference. Enjoy!
Business planning is simple and we all have the skills required to do.
What is not simple is getting over the fear of getting it wrong, getting overwhelmed by the process or getting confused by the incredible amount of mis-information and jargon available out there in the inter-webs.
If you can just make all that noise be quiet and listen your own voice, business planning is simple.
It is about deciding what you want most for your business – you know those crazy pie in the sky dreams. Taking that dream and figuring out what needs to happen to get you there, then taking those things and working out what actions you take can to make sure they happen.
WHAT CAN I DO TODAY FOR MY DREAMS OF TOMORROW?
And to be really honest the KEY of any business plan is putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys) and starting.
I don’t believe in much foo-foo stuff but there is an incredible magic that happens when you take something out of your head and commit it to paper. Whatever it is, however fearful you are, it is time your business got a piece of that magic.
If you want to start 2013 off the best possible way you NEED some kind of plan. Not the 73 page document that you left out answers to 75% of the questions because they are totally irrelevant to your business. You just need to get yourself some sort of road map as to where you are heading in business.
If you would like some guidance in starting the process, this Monday Studio Exsto is running a five day Creative Business Planning course that will not only get you started but well on your way to creating a clear and valuable plan for your business. It is jargon free and takes about one hour each day.
The best part about it is you will be taking the class with a group of like-minded creative business owners and with the help of a private Facebook group and a class call or two. You will be held accountable, be able to ask for feedback and be encouraged to draw on each other’s experiences as well as mine.
If you take the course with us great – you will be taking a positive step towards making 2013 you best year in business.
If not, that’s ok too but I would like to charge you to spend at least one hour in the coming week thinking about where you want to be in your business (and life) come the end of 2013. Then write down one task you need to complete each month to help you get there, and you will have the beginnings of a business plan.
Note: In the spirit of full disclosure, this is an affiliate link, which means that I may get a commission if you decide to purchase anything from Studio Exsto. I only recommend products and systems that I use and love myself, so I know you’ll be in good hands.
About elle_roberts
Elle, business and marketing strategist and co-director of Studio Exsto, is passionate about helping small businesses thrive. Studio Exsto is THE workroom for creatives in business to engage in the design and development of their business to drive it forward and increase success. Elle is also founder of the Artful Business Conference.
I love this line: “don’t believe in much foo-foo stuff but there is an incredible magic that happens when you take something out of your head and commit it to paper. Whatever it is, however fearful you are, it is time your business got a piece of that magic.” Great post!
Thank you so much Amy for your kind words!
Thank you for your kind comments Amy, I am glad you enjoyed the post.
Clarity is the purpose of business planning. Without clarity, you have nothing. The more clear you are, the more chances you have at being successful.
I agree Joanne, for me I simply can not achieve clarity inside my head, I need to get the bits and pieces out and on paper and then tidy them and get clear about my focus and my actions from there. Thank you for your comment.
Couldn’t agree more Joanne! I’d love to know more about Skyping Reading Tutor. Can you share?
I’m all for writing stuff down – simply. It’s the action part that’s difficult. I can imagine being a part of a group of like-minded people becomes a powerful catalyst for action.
Working in a group has always been powerful for me to move from the planning and into action. Plus it is more fun 🙂
Hi Lori,
Being surrounded be a group of like minded, action takers is a fantastic way to motivate yourself. Noone wants to be left behind and you all support each other to achieve your goals.
Cheers,
Caylie
Putting pencil to paper… that is really key! Just do it, even if it isn’t perfect. You can tweak it after you have the idea out of your head and on paper. Fly the plane as you build it!
Hi Mike,
Thanks for sharing! I love to have what I call a ‘brain dump.’ Everything written down unedited, mistakes and all. Only after everything is out will I go back and refine.
Cheers,
Caylie