Have you noticed how quickly the New Year champagne bubbles go flat? Kind of like your business plan.
- Resolutions begin sliding
- Life takes over (especially during a pandemic)
- And before you know it, the month is almost gone
After a year like 2020, few could blame you if your business plan is not up to date. Maybe you haven’t even started a new plan.
Full disclosure – I am developing mine as we speak (or read).
But it’s not too late to regroup. Here’s an idea to get started.
Make a Date With Your Business
I know, a business date is one thing, but a date with your business? Hey, at least you don’t have to worry about social distancing. Hopefully, quite the opposite.
The graphic below shows your own dating app for success.
My date with my business is the last day of each month. It’s already in my electronic brain, a.k.a. smartphone.
No Bad Blind Dates
Blind dates are tricky. Sometimes they’re the perfect match. Other times, a blind date is a mind-blowing disaster.
2020 was the poster child for a bad blind date.
No one saw it coming and everyone was glad to see it go.
Yet, despite all the chaos, you can find good in even the worst of times.
- Shake off the negative. It’s in the past.
- Review what went right. Analyze what went wrong.
- What have you learned?
Perhaps the negative was an unexpected technology problem. Or a little thing like a global pandemic. Whatever good or bad occurred, you always learn something that helps adjust your business plan.
Getting Ready for Your Business Plan Date
Your business plan is like deciding what to wear on your date – it might not work, but it beats going out naked. If you don’t have a business plan, you just identified your first adjustment of the year.
1. Choose Your Look
Once you have your plan, pick out what makes your business look good. For example –
- Monthly income goals
- Marketing goals
- Learning about new support tools
2. Gaze in the Mirror
Look at each item and assess how well you did during the month.
- Did you meet your target?
- If not, why not?
- Is your target too aggressive or too easy?
Don’t beat yourself up if your look is a bit worn or not what you had in mind. Simply try a new look. Adjust your plan.
3. Accessorize – or not
Take a good look at your results and compare them with your plan.
- Do you need to kick up your marketing plan?
- Are there overdue invoices?
- Should you consider outside help?
If you’re looking good – smile, then plan on next month’s target. If you’re NOT looking good – adjust your plan for a better look.
My mantra I use for all plans is:
After the Business Plan Date
Think about your last blind date. For some of us, our memories don’t go back that far. But assuming you remember, what did you do after that blind date?
- Talk about it with friends?
- Bask in the glow of a good date?
- Or move on if it stunk?
Try the same approach with your business date.
- Share results with colleagues (it helps keep you accountable and they may have helpful feedback)
- Reward yourself for the little successes (e.g., a new client, a great product review)
- Adjust your plan and move on from what did not work (allow time for working through the emotions but don’t wallow)
Have you made a date with your business? It’s never too late to start.
How is your year going so far?
Note: This January 19, 2021 post is an update of one that posted January 23, 2012. I gave it a new look. 😉
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I love the dating analogy. Perfect! One of my favorite parts of this post is to reward yourself for little successes. If we don’t pat ourselves on the back, who will? This post is a good to-do list that many of us can follow to keep our business on track. Great info!
Thanks, Lisa. Glad to see you here. And I totally agree about the little rewards. Be good to yourself!
Thanks for stopping by, Lisa.
Great metaphor. If we don’t spend quality time with our businesses, they won’t be able to grow properly! I like to spend Friday mornings snuggled on the couch with my biz. We look at web traffic stats, email list stats and the $$! Know where you are so you can know where you need to go next!
That sounds like a great routine you have going there, Tea. Friday tends to be my business day, too. From tracking expenses to Analytics. It’s time for me.
I like the mental image of snuggling up on the couch with my business-now, that sound like a good date! 😀
Thanks for stopping by, Tea.
Never called it a date- but this is what we do each week for our firm- and never less than once a month for our clients. KPI and deviations makes this a snap.
Roy-between you and Tea, I am an underachiever. 🙂
Key performance indicators definitely make the process easier. Like the saying goes – If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it.
Thanks for stopping by, Roy.
Am I allowed to drink on my date? I’m trying so hard to stick to my goals, write them down, measure them, assess, etc. But it’s rough. Business gets in the way.
How about speed dating? Is that allowed?
Ruth – I am a firm believer in everyone doing what works for them – whatever form that takes. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and giving me another reason to smile today.
LOVE! 🙂 Great post, Cathy.
Thank you kindly, Lori. 🙂
I never thought to have a date with my business. Hmm. It might be the spark that’s been missing in my life. 🙂
You never know, Sherrie. 😉 Thanks for stopping by.
Cathy, I’m trying to understand the difference between “I am a writer” and “I have a writing business.” This may help me sort it out…
Anne-Oh, I like that way of looking at it. 🙂 Thanks, Anne, for stopping by.
Wonderful Post Cathy! To be honest, I date my business a lot… sometimes I really need a break!
I know what you’re saying though and I love the analogy.
Jayne
Thanks, Jayne. Maybe you need a girl’s day out. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Jayne.