So, it’s November already. The year is fast drawing to a close and 2014 is just around the corner. Scary, but also a chance for a fresh start and to really achieve better results than last year. So what are you going to do different in 2014 that will actually make a change in your situation more likely?
Having goals of how much extra profits you will make or how much extra time you will spend with the family are great targets and essential to drive you forward. But that is only half the story. The other essential element in the planning process is converting ones goals into practical action plans and tactics that affect your day-to-day activities. It’s what you ACTUALLY do that really counts, not what you PLAN to do.
That said, taking some time to put a plan together will ensure that the activity effort you put in is not wasted effort. A plan will ensure that daily activities will help you move your business and your life one more step in the RIGHT direction and tomorrows activity will again move you in that same direction.
Mention the words “business plan” to most tradies and eyes glaze over, defenses go up and words like “waste of time” come to mind. When I look at some of 30 page templates out there, I tend to agree. It doesn’t need to be that way. A plan to guide your business for the next 3 years and to align daily activities to that 3 year vision can be put down on 1 sheet of A4 paper. At a pinch, you could even rough it out on the back of an envelope. A marketing coach I worked with a year or so ago, Taki Moore, calls it your Strategic Action Plan. It summarises your 3 year vision, your 12 month goals to keep you on track to reach that vision, the key projects you need to work on for the next 90 days and what actions you need to take this week to keep you moving forward. Short, sharp, focused and a tool that can be used every week to align your company’s activities.
Want help to put your Strategic Action Plan for 2014 together? Call me on 09 912- 1901, or email me at andy@tradescoach.co.nz and we can make a time to book an action planning session together.
Andy Burrows – The Trades Coach.