- Everything on your "to do" list is a priority. You don't know
where your time is best spent.
- Friends and colleagues can't refer you because they aren't
sure exactly what value your business provides and to whom.
They often ask, "What is it you do again?"
- When you're presented with a business opportunity, you are
unsure how to evaluate if it is something your company should
pursue. In fact, you normally pursue all opportunities just in
case you might miss the big one.
- You enjoy what you do, but you are not passionate about your
business. You'd quit everything and follow that passion
tomorrow if you could.
- Your business development consists largely of attending
networking events, but you spend most of your time talking to
people you know. And you rely solely on word-of-mouth for new
customers.
- You don't know why your customers buy from you. The majority
continue to do business with your company, but you're not sure
what keeps them coming back. You've never really asked.
- You find your clients contracting with other companies for
services you provide. When asked, they say they didn't know
you offered those services.
- When you ask your employees what success looks like, they
don't have a consistent answer. And your incentive plan does
not synch up with performance expectations.
- You complain when your customers call because you just
don't have time to talk to them. And you notice your staff
complaining too.
- You don't do market research or solicit customer feedback
because you know your market. You've been in the industry for
years and you know customers' need and wants.
- You determine your pricing by looking at your competitor's
prices and discounting slightly. All your prices are based on
your competitors' offerings.
- You can't articulate what your company does best, but it is a
good point of discussion at the Christmas cocktail party.
- When asked why you are in business, your only response is
profit.
Sound familiar? Maybe it's time to get serious about your
business and get focused. Having a strategic plan and,
therefore a succinct strategy, brings clarity and focus to your
organization. It ensures your time, resources, and actions are
not wasted. If every part of your organization is not pointed in
the same direction, you'll end up going in circles - frustrating
yourself and your employees. Why not get strategic and make this
year your most successful year?
Erica Olsen is VP of Marketing of MyStrategicPlan, a
web-based strategic planning system for small businesses.
MyStrategicPlan.com helps entrepreneurs build and execute
their business strategies through a cost-effective,
do-it-yourself solution. With our web-based process, companies
can build their strategic plans quickly and efficiently,
leading to increased organizational focus and business growth.
http://www.mystrategicplan.com She is also an instructor and
a writer.
